Vector Interlacing via Stencil Texture Depth Masking
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for interlacing vector objects in digital image editing struggle to preserve the original geometry of objects, often requiring objects to be broken into smaller pieces, which leads to irreversible interlacing and loss of flexibility in adjusting depth positions.
Innovation Solution
A vector interlacing system that generates custom drawing commands based on the depth positions of vector objects, using a stencil texture to preserve the original geometry by writing objects only where they are not overlapped by other objects, allowing for flexible reordering and editing of object depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional techniques are used to interlace vector objects, then the interlacing effect is achieved, but the original geometry of objects is lost and objects must be broken into smaller pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rendering process into multiple passes and segments objects based on depth positions rather than breaking object geometries. Objects are segmented into visible and occluded portions through depth testing, allowing interlacing while preserving original object definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating depth positions and generating depth masks before final rendering. This allows the system to determine which portions of objects should be visible or occluded in advance, enabling interlacing without modifying original object geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If objects are broken into smaller pieces for interlacing, then the interlacing effect is achieved, but flexibility in adjusting depth positions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making depth positions adjustable and reconfigurable at runtime. Objects maintain their complete geometry definitions and can be dynamically repositioned in depth space, with the rendering system automatically recalculating visibility relationships without requiring object decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating depth masks and stencil buffers that represent object visibility information separate from the original object geometries. These copies allow multiple rendering passes and depth adjustments without modifying the source object definitions.
3Loss of information
If overlapping portions are removed during interlacing, then the interlacing effect is achieved, but the removed portions are unavailable for subsequent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by temporarily discarding only the occluded portions during specific rendering passes while recovering all original object geometries in subsequent passes. The depth buffer and stencil mechanisms allow the system to discard visibility information temporarily while preserving the complete object definitions for later recovery and reprocessing.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for interlacing vector objects. A method of interlacing vector objects may include receiving a selection of a first vector object of an image. The method may further include detecting a second vector object of the image, wherein the second vector object is different than the first vector object. The method may further include determining a first depth position for the first vector object and a second depth position for the second vector object. The method may further include interlacing the second vector object and the first vector object, wherein interlacing comprises drawing the first vector object based on the first depth position and the second vector object based on the second depth position.