Using polynomial texture maps for micro-scale occlusions

Abstract

Techniques for using a polynomial texture map (PTM) to encode micro-occlusions information. The micro-occlusions information stored in the PTM is then used to display micro-occlusions cast on a surface by surface geometries or other geometries under various irradiance conditions.

1 . A method of storing a texture map encoding micro-occlusions information for a surface, the method comprising: 
 determining a plurality of sets of values, each set of values in the plurality including values corresponding to coefficients of a polynomial function that yields an occlusion value based upon a light direction, the plurality of sets of values encoding information for micro-occlusions for the surface under varying irradiance conditions; and    storing the plurality of sets of values as a texture map.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 obtaining a plurality of samples of the surface using a plurality of irradiant conditions, each sample depicting micro-occlusion information for the surface for a particular irradiant condition from the plurality of irradiant conditions; and    wherein determining the plurality of sets of values comprises determining the plurality of sets of values based upon the plurality of samples obtained for the surface.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein determining the plurality of sets of values based upon the plurality of samples comprises using a mathematical fitting process to determine the values for the plurality of sets of values.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 displaying a rendered image of the surface using the texture map, the rendered image displaying one or more micro-occlusions.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving information identifying a light source direction;    determining an occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of sets of values of the texture map, the occlusion value for each set of values determined based upon the values in the set of values and the light source direction; and    displaying an image based upon the determined occlusion values for the plurality of sets of values in the texture map.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein determining the occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of set of values of the texture map comprises evaluating the polynomial function using the values in the set of values and the light source direction.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polynomial function is  
         A 1 u 2 +A 2 u+A 3 uv+A 4 v+A 5 v   2   +A 6  
     where 
 A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , and A 6  are coefficients of the polynomial function encoding micro-occlusion information, and  
 u and v are parameterized projections of a light source vector.  
 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein determining the occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of set of values of the texture map comprises evaluating the polynomial function using the values in the set of values and the light source direction.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polynomial function is  
         A 1 u   3   +A 2 v   3   +A 3 u   2   v   2   +A 4 u   2   v+A 5 uv   2   +A 6 u   2   +A 7 v   2   +A 8 uv+A 9 u+A 10 v+A 11  
     where 
 A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , A 7 , A 8 , A 9 , A 10 , and A 11  are coefficients of the polynomial function encoding micro-occlusion information, and  
 u and v are parameterized projections of a light source vector.  
 
   
   
       10 . A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium for storing a texture map encoding micro-occlusions information for a surface, the computer program product comprising: 
 code for determining a plurality of sets of values, each set of values in the plurality including values corresponding to coefficients of a polynomial function that yields an occlusion value based upon a light direction, the plurality of sets of values encoding information for micro-occlusions for the surface under varying irradiance conditions; and    code for storing the plurality of sets of values as a texture map.    
   
   
       11 . The computer program product of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 code for obtaining a plurality of samples of the surface using a plurality of irradiant conditions, each sample depicting micro-occlusion information for the surface for a particular irradiant condition from the plurality of irradiant conditions; and    wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets of values comprises code for determining the plurality of sets of values based upon the plurality of samples obtained for the surface.    
   
   
       12 . The computer program product of  claim 11  wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets of values based upon the plurality of samples comprises code for using a mathematical fitting process to determine the values for the plurality of sets of values.  
   
   
       13 . The computer program product of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 code for displaying a rendered image of the surface using the texture map, the rendered image displaying one or more micro-occlusions.    
   
   
       14 . The computer program product of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 code for receiving information identifying a light source direction;    code for determining an occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of sets of values of the texture map, the occlusion value for each set of values determined based upon the values in the set of values and the light source direction; and    code for displaying an image based upon the determined occlusion values for the plurality of sets of values in the texture map.    
   
   
       15 . The computer program product of  claim 14  wherein the code for determining the occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of set of values of the texture map comprises code for evaluating the polynomial function using the values in the set of values and the light source direction.  
   
   
       16 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the polynomial function is  
         A 1 u   2   +A 2 u+A 3 uv+A 4 v+A 5 v   2   +A 6  
     where 
 A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , and A 6  are coefficients of the polynomial function encoding micro-occlusion information, and  
 u and v are parameterized projections of a light source vector.  
 
   
   
       17 . The computer program product of  claim 16  wherein the code for determining the occlusion value for each set of values in the plurality of set of values of the texture map comprises code for evaluating the polynomial function using the values in the set of values and the light source direction.  
   
   
       18 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the polynomial function is  
         A 1 u   3   +A 2 v   3   +A 3 u   2   v   2   +A 4 u   2   v+A 5 uv   2   +A 6 u   2   +A 7 v   2   +A 8 uv+A 9 u+A 10 v+A 11  
     where 
 A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , A 7 , A 8 , A 9 , A 10 , and A 11  are coefficients of the polynomial function encoding micro-occlusion information, and  
 u and v are parameterized projections of a light source vector.  
 
   
   
       19 . A computer system for storing a texture map encoding micro-occlusions information for a surface, the system comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store a plurality-of instructions executable by the processor, the plurality of instructions comprising: 
 instructions for determining a plurality of sets of values, each set of values in the plurality including values corresponding to coefficients of a polynomial function that yields an occlusion value based upon a light direction, the plurality of sets of values encoding information for micro-occlusions for the surface under varying irradiance conditions; and  
 instructions for storing the plurality of sets of values as a texture map.  
   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises: 
 instructions for obtaining a plurality of samples of the surface using a plurality of irradiant conditions, each sample depicting micro-occlusion information for the surface for a particular irradiant condition from the plurality of irradiant conditions; and    wherein the instructions for determining the plurality of sets of values comprise instructions for determining the plurality of sets of values based upon the plurality of samples obtained for the surface.