Patent ID: 8698804
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a unit which combines a plurality of virtual elements so as to approximate a shape of a physical object, and lays out an approximate virtual object configured by the plurality of combined virtual elements on a virtual space; a generation unit which generates a ray from a viewpoint to a ray source until the generated ray intersects with a virtual object on the virtual space and generates a new ray from an intersection point at which the generated ray intersects with the virtual object if the generated ray intersects with the virtual object, using a ray tracing method; a determination unit which determines whether a first condition is satisfied where the generated ray intersects with the approximate virtual object successively and then the generated ray does not intersect with any other virtual objects until the generated ray reaches the ray source or infinity, and which determines whether a second condition is satisfied where the generated ray intersects with the approximate virtual object successively and then the generated ray intersects with a further virtual object until the generated ray reaches the ray source or infinity; a calculation unit which calculates, when said determination unit determines that the first condition is satisfied, a pixel value corresponding to the generated ray which intersects with the approximate virtual object successively based on the generated ray from the viewpoint until a first intersection point at which the generated ray intersects with the approximate virtual object for the first time, without any shadow calculation; and which calculates, when said determination unit determines that the second condition is satisfied, a pixel value corresponding to the generated ray based on the generated ray from the viewpoint until a second intersection point at which the generated ray intersects with the further virtual object.