Fast Previewing Techniques in Raster Graphics

Abstract

The long processing times inherent in the use of raster graphics techniques for the shading of complex scenes, complicate the design and debugging of a picture. The efficiency of the picture-generating process can, however, be improved by adding several interactive facilities to the system. In particular, fast previewing techniques are valuable for checking the modeling and for getting a good impression in an early stage of the picture-definition process. A discussion of raster graphics system design is followed by examples of fast pre-viewing techniques for the shading and texture mapping of surface models and for the shading of solid models using a raycasting technique.