Three dimensional image processing program, three dimensional image processing method, and video game device

Abstract

A three dimensional image processing program, a three dimensional image processing method, and a video game device are provided that can render a large number of objects. A graphics data generating processor computes the post-movement position coordinates of objects in a virtual three dimensional space, modifies the post-movement position coordinates of objects calculated thereby such that the position coordinates are kept inside a display area in which the objects are displayed, and a rendering processor renders the objects inside the display area.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a three dimensional image processing program, a three dimensional image processing method, and a video game device for displaying a plurality of objects that move inside a virtual three dimensional space. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A variety of video games that display objects such as characters and the like in a virtual three dimensional space that is produced in a monitor screen have grown popular in recent years. Many of these video games have sports-related themes such as skiing, surfing, ice skating, snowboarding, and the like. In order to satisfy the desires of users, video games having these types of sports themes must, to the greatest degree possible, duplicate the unique characteristics of each sport and provide the user with the feeling that they are actually participating in it. For example, a video game having a skiing or snowboarding theme should allow the user to feel as if he or she is competing in a snowfall. [0003]F...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a three dimensional image processing program, three dimensional image processing method, and video game device that can reduce the burden on the arithmetic processing device of the video game device and render a large number of objects.

[0017] Thus, after the initial parameters of the objects have been established, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects within the virtual three dimensional space are computed. Next, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects that were calculated thereby are modified such that they are kept within the display area in which the objects are displayed. When this occurs, the burden on the arithmetic processing unit can be reduced, and a large number of objects can be rendered, because it will no longer be necessary to conduct switch processing to determine whether the post-movement position coordinates of the objects are within the display area.

[0025] In other words, because the position coordinates are expressed as integers, bit computation can be employed to compute the post-movement position coordinates of the objects. Thus, computational speed can be increased when compared to situations in which floating point values are used for the position coordinates of the objects. Furthermore, by mask processing the post movement position coordinates of the objects, when the length of at least one side of the rectangular display area is subtracted from the post-movement position coordinates of the objects, not only will it become unnecessary to conduct switch processing in order to determine whether or not the post-movement position coordinates of the objects are inside the display area, as found in the prior art, but the objects can be kept inside the display area with a simple computational process.

[0036] In other words, the arithmetic processing unit is capable of executing a variety of processes, including switch processing. The rendering process device is not provided with a complex arithmetic processing function for switch processing and the like, but instead has a simple arithmetic processing function so that it can conduct arithmetic processing at high speeds. Here, switch processing is not involved in the process of computing the post-movement position coordinates of objects in a virtual three dimensional space, nor in the process of modifying the post-movement position coordinates of objects calculated thereby such that they are kept inside the display area in which the objects are displayed. Thus, the process of computing the post-movement position coordinates of objects and the process of modifying the post-movement position coordinates of objects are not executed by the arithmetic processing unit, and thus the burden on the arithmetic processing unit can be reduced because these processes are executed on a render processing unit that can conduct these calculations faster than the arithmetic processing unit.

[0043] In other words, after the initial parameters of the objects have been established, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects within the virtual three dimensional space are computed. Next, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects that were calculated thereby are modified such that they are kept within the display area in which the objects are displayed. When this occurs, the burden on the arithmetic processing unit can be reduced, and a large number of objects can be rendered, because it will no longer be necessary to conduct switch processing to determine whether the post-movement position coordinates of the objects are within the display area.

[0050] In other words, after the initial parameters of the objects have been established, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects within the virtual three dimensional space are computed. Next, the post-movement position coordinates of the objects that were calculated thereby are modified such that they are kept within the display area in which the objects are displayed. When this occurs, the burden on the arithmetic processing unit can be reduced, and a large number of objects can be rendered, because it will no longer be necessary to conduct switch processing to determine whether the post-movement position coordinates of the objects are within the display area.

Problems solved by technology

When the prior art three dimensional image process duplicates snowfall, there will be a greater burden on the arithmetic process when it carries out complex switch processing and the like, and thus the arithmetic process will take time to complete.

Thus, when duplicating an environment in which a large quantity of snow is falling, it will be difficult to provide a realistic feeling of snowfall because the number of snowflakes that can be duplicated will be reduced.

Because of this, prior art video games cannot provide users with a sufficient sense of realism when duplicating snowfall, and thus are not enjoyable.

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