Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and associated method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. During use, the graphics pipeline system is capable of carrying out a fog and blending operation.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system with an integrated masking operation is provided. Included is a transform module adapted for being coupled to a buffer to receive graphics data therefrom. Such transform module is positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Also included is a lighting module coupled to the transform module and positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module. The lighting modules serves for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. In use, a masking operation is further performed on the single semiconductor platform.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for accelerating graphics processing utilizing multiple-pass rendering. Initially, geometry operations are performed on graphics data, and the graphics data is stored in memory. During a first rendering pass, various operations take place. For example, the graphics data is read from the memory, and the graphics data is rasterized. Moreover, first z-culling operations are performed utilizing the graphics data. Such first z-culling operations maintain a first occlusion image. During a second rendering pass, the graphics data is read from memory. Still yet, the graphics data is rasterized and second z-culling operations are performed utilizing the graphics data and the first occlusion image. Moreover, visibility operations are performed utilizing the graphics data and a second occlusion image. Raster-processor operations are also performed utilizing the graphics data, during the second rendering pass.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and associated method are provided with an integrated clipping operation. First included is a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data from a first space to a second space. Also provided is a lighting module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module. The lighting module is adapted for performing lighting operations on the graphics data. A clipping operation is also performed utilizing the single semiconductor platform.

Abstract: A graphics hardware system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data. As an option, the graphics hardware system may further be equipped with skinning, swizzling and masking capabilities.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data received from the lighting module. During use, an antialiasing feature is implemented on the single semiconductor platform to improve a quality of the graphics rendering.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for avoiding reading z-values in a graphics pipeline. Initially, near z-values are stored which are each representative of a near z-value on an object in a region. Such region is defined by a tile and a coverage mask therein. Thereafter, the stored near z-values are compared with far z-values computed for other objects in the region. Such comparison indicates whether an object is visible in the region. Based on the comparison, z-values previously stored for image samples in the region are conditionally read from memory.

Abstract: Clip-less rasterization is provided by a plurality of operations. First, a primitive is received that is defined by a plurality of vertices. Each of such vertices includes a W-value. Thereafter, an area is identified based on the W-values. Such area is representative of a portion of a display to be drawn corresponding to the primitive.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are afforded for providing an interlock module in a graphics pipeline. initially, first information is received indicative of a first set of pixels that overlap a primitive. Such first set of pixels are currently being processed in the graphics pipeline. Also received is second information indicative of a second set of pixels that overlap the primitive. The second set of pixels are ready for being inputted in the graphics pipeline for processing. Thereafter, the first information and the second information are evaluated, and the second set of pixels is conditionally processed based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided with an integrated scissor operation. First provided is a transform module adapted for being coupled to a buffer to receive graphics data therefrom. Such transform module is positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Associated therewith is a lighting module coupled to the transform module and positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. A scissor operation is performed on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module and the lighting module.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture are provided for performing rasterization using alternating sense point traversal. Upon receipt of a primitive, i.e. a triangle, a plurality of points are positioned on or near the primitive. Such points define an enclosed convex region and may be located at corners of the convex region. In operation, the points and convex region are moved in an alternating manner for the purpose of identifying an area in the primitive for rendering pixels therein. In particular, the points are moved in a boustrophedonic manner.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for avoiding reading z-values in a graphics pipeline. Initially, near z-values are stored which are each representative of a near z-value on an object in a region. Such region is defined by a tile and a coverage mask therein. Thereafter, the stored near z-values are compared with far z-values computed for other objects in the region. Such comparison indicates whether an object is visible in the region. Based on the comparison, z-values previously stored for image samples in the region are conditionally read from memory.

Abstract: A graphics hardware system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data. As an option, the graphics hardware system may further be equipped with skinning, swizzling and masking capabilities.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided with a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data. Also included is a lighting module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module for lighting the graphics data. In use, various operations may be performed utilizing the single semiconductor platform such as rendering, fog operations, blending, coloring operations, etc.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for being coupled to a vertex attribute buffer for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data received from the lighting module. During use, an antialiasing feature is implemented on the single semiconductor platform to improve a quality of the graphics rendering.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture are provided for performing area rasterization using sense points. Upon receipt of a primitive, e.g. a triangle, line equation coefficients of line equations are determined for lines that define the primitive. Thereafter, a plurality of points is positioned on or near the primitive. Such points define an enclosed convex region. Next, the line equations are evaluated at the points. During operation, the points and convex region are moved based on the evaluation of the line equations for the purpose of identifying an area in the primitive for rendering pixels therein.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and associated method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. During use, the graphics pipeline system is capable of carrying out a fog and blending operation.