Abstract

This invention relates generally to the field of computer graphics display, and more particularly to reducing the amount of time needed to render complex virtual scenes on a computer graphics display. This invention combines the advantages of the prior art methods of list priority and depth buffering (e.g. Z-buffering) with new simplified and enhanced full buffer processes. In one embodiment, a simplified full buffer arrangement enables the elimination of rendering primitives prior to pixel shading for regions of the screen which have previously been covered by closer primitives. Another embodiment provides for an enhanced full buffer that combines the coverage of a previously rendered primitive in a partial buffer and associates it with a current primitive to cover pixel arrays. This enhanced full buffer technique enables the use of higher order model primitives such as strips, fans and meshes, to increase the effectiveness of the full buffer by allowing more than one primitive to combine to fill a scanned pixel region on the screen.