A 3-D CELLULAR FRAME BUFFER

Abstract

A new architecture for storing and processing of threedimensional (3-D) graphics is described, The 3-D objects are discretized and stored in a full 3-D cellular memory of voxels. A 3-D graphics processor scan-converts 3-D geometric objects into the cellular representation. A 3-D frame buffer processor manipulates 3-D cellular sub-boxes and controls 3-D interaction. Displaying 2-D orthographic projections from a given view position and direction is accomplished by a 3-D viewing processor. With this new architecture, there is neither a need for repeatedly scan-converting modified geometric objects nor a need for removing hidden-surfaces.