Patent ID: 6266149
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
Using a computer having a memory system, a method for use in producing a graphic image using a set of graphics primitives each of which is executed in accordance with a current state of a graphics environment at a time when a command invoking the graphics primitive was received, the current state of the graphics environment including a plurality of state elements and being changed at times by an image source, the method comprising the steps of:each time a state element has changed from when a previous command involving a graphics primitive was received to when a current command involving a graphics primitive was received:saving in the memory system an instance of that state element containing current information for that state element; andsaving in the memory system a graphics state object including for each of said plurality of state elements a pointer to a most recently saved instance of that state element;wherein each graphics state object includes a pointer to only one instance of a given state element, and at least some instances of state elements are pointed to by multiple graphics state objects.