A-buffer algorithm
E910383
The A-buffer algorithm is a computer graphics technique for high-quality hidden surface determination and anti-aliasing that stores multiple fragments per pixel to correctly render complex, overlapping, and transparent geometry.
Statements (40)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
anti-aliasing technique
ⓘ
computer graphics algorithm ⓘ hidden surface determination technique ⓘ |
| assumes | fragments can be stored and processed per pixel ⓘ |
| canBeImplementedIn |
hardware-accelerated pipelines
ⓘ
software rendering systems ⓘ |
| category |
anti-aliasing algorithms
ⓘ
visibility algorithms ⓘ |
| field | computer graphics ⓘ |
| handles |
multiple depth values per pixel
ⓘ
partial pixel coverage ⓘ sub-pixel coverage information ⓘ transparency compositing ⓘ |
| improvesUpon | Z-buffer aliasing ⓘ |
| influenced | modern order-independent transparency techniques ⓘ |
| introducedBy | Loren Carpenter NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| introducedInPublication | The A-buffer, an antialiased hidden surface method NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| introducedInYear | 1984 ⓘ |
| output |
anti-aliased images
ⓘ
images with correct transparency compositing ⓘ |
| primaryGoal |
anti-aliasing
ⓘ
correct rendering of transparency ⓘ high-quality hidden surface determination ⓘ |
| publishedInConference | SIGGRAPH NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| relatedTo | Z-buffer algorithm ⓘ |
| requires | more memory than Z-buffer ⓘ |
| stores | multiple fragments per pixel ⓘ |
| supports |
order-independent transparency
ⓘ
overlapping geometry ⓘ transparent geometry ⓘ |
| supportsOperation |
alpha blending of fragments
ⓘ
coverage accumulation ⓘ fragment sorting by depth ⓘ |
| tradeOff | image quality versus memory usage ⓘ |
| typicalUseCase |
scenes with complex overlapping geometry
ⓘ
scenes with heavy transparency ⓘ |
| usedFor |
film and visual effects rendering
ⓘ
high-quality offline rendering ⓘ |
| usesDataStructure |
extended frame buffer
ⓘ
per-pixel fragment list ⓘ |
Referenced by (1)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.