Abstract: A graphics processing subsystem is programmed with shader programs that make calls to an abstract interface. One or more subshaders implementing the functions of the abstract interface can also be defined. The binding of interfaces to functions is resolved by a language runtime module that compiles the subshaders. As shader programs are compiled, the runtime module determines whether each method call is associated with an interface function. For each interface method call, the runtime module determines the appropriate implementation of the interface to be bound to the method call. Once the appropriate implementation is identified, the interface binding is created using string substitution or indirect addressing instructions. At the time of compilation, which may be during the execution of the rendering application, the desired combinations of subshaders are specified and compiled into a combined shader program, which can then be executed by the graphics processing subsystem.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided that represent complex point and area illumination in computer graphics shading and animation. An irradiance vector field table representative of an irradiance field for a scene to be rendered is generated and stored in a texture memory. During rendering, the scene is lit based on irradiance vectors in the irradiance vector field table. For each point being lit, a corresponding irradiance vector is generated from the irradiance vector field table. A vector operation is performed between the irradiance vector and a surface normal for the point to compute an irradiance energy component. In one example hardware embodiment, a look-up unit looks up and interpolates irradiance vectors for selected points in the irradiance vector field table to compute an interpolated irradiance vector.