A Parallel HW/SW Environment for Image Synthesis

In designing graphical workstations for high-level performance presentations of graphical models, the main goal nowadays is to perform some effective real-time traversal and rendering of data. In this paper we present a reference model of parallel processing for graphics, taking into account the main aspects of colour rendering of solid hierarchical shapes; i.e., traversal of structures, hidden surfaces removal, shadow identification and light models. In particular, a parallel design of the main graphical algorithms is presented. Three abstract machines are proposed, designed respectively for data structure traversing, for depth ordering and shadows computation and finally for shape merging and screen processing. Such abstract machines, internally parallel, may be combined in various ways to define different physical architectures.

CR Categories and Subject Descriptors

: C.1.2 [Multiple Data Stream Architectures] MIMD Processors, Parallel Processors; 1.3.2 [Computer Graphics] Graphics Systems; 1.3.3 [Computer Graphics] Picture Generation -Display Algorithms, Viewing Algorithms; 1.3.7 [Computer Graphics] Three Dimensional Graphics and Realism - Colour, Shading, Shadowing, Visible Line/Surface I Algorithms.