Patent ID: 6842183

Claim:
A 3D image processing unit for applying a specified image processing to display a model located in a simulated 3D space on a monitor after rendering processing, said 3D image processing unit comprising: a first memory for storing a rendered model image as a collection of pixel data, a second memory for storing a distance information relating a distance from a viewing point of a simulated camera to the rendered model image in correspondence with each pixel position, an image processing means for applying averaging and semitransparent processing to each pixel data read from the first memory, a rewriting means for rewriting the pixel data from the image processing means at the same pixel position as that of the first memory from which the pixel data was read when said distance information from the viewing point of the simulated camera is a specified reference value or larger, and a control means for causing the image processing means and the rewriting means to repeatedly operate only a specified number of times each successively increasing the specified reference value and successively increasing a degree of transparency of pixels having distance data equal to or greater than the specified reference value such that pixels having distances further from the simulated camera position appear with greater transparency than pixels having distance closer to the simulated camera position, and the image in the first memory being introduced to the monitor after processing by the control means is completed.