Split Storage of Anti-Aliased Samples

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improving the performance of anti-aliased image rendering. One embodiment is a method of rendering a pixel from an anti-aliased image. The method includes: storing a first set and a second set of samples from a plurality of anti-aliased samples of the pixel respectively in a first memory and a second memory; and rendering a determined number of said samples from one of only the first set or the first and second sets. Corresponding system and computer program product embodiments are also disclosed.

1 . A method of rendering a pixel from an anti-aliased image, comprising:
 storing a first set and a second set of samples from a plurality of anti-aliased samples of the pixel respectively in a first memory and a second memory; and   rendering a determined number of said samples from one of only the first set or the first and second sets.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a number of samples in the first set is predetermined. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a number of samples in the first set is determined based on characteristics of the image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a number of samples in the first set is determined based on a size of a sample and size of the first memory. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of samples to be rendered is determined based upon objects touching the pixel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first memory is accessible to a processor at a faster rate than the second memory. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first memory is a graphics memory coupled to a graphics processor unit (GPU) and the second memory is a system memory. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-aliased samples are multisampled. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rendering comprises:
 rendering said one or more samples from the first set optionally followed by samples from the second set, according to a predetermined sequence, up to the determined number of samples are rendered.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein samples from the second set are rendered if the first set has less than the determined number of samples. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more samples is stored in a respective surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the number of said samples to be rendered.   
     
     
         13 . A system to render a pixel from an anti-aliased image, comprising:
 at least one processor;   a first memory and a second memory coupled to the processor;   a split anti-aliased sample writer configured to:
 store a first set and a second set of samples from a plurality of anti-aliased samples of the pixel respectively in a first memory and a second memory. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a split anti-aliased sample reader configured to:
 render a determined number of said samples from one of only the first set or the first and second sets. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , the split anti-aliased sample reader further configured to:
 determine a number of said samples to be rendered.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , the split anti-aliased sample reader is further configured to:
 rendering said one or more samples from the first set optionally followed by samples from the second set, according to a predetermined sequence, up to the determined number of samples are rendered.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein samples from the second set are rendered if the first set has less than the determined number of samples. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first memory is a graphics memory coupled to a graphics processor unit (GPU) and the second memory is a system memory. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first memory being configured for faster access speeds than the second memory 
     
     
         20 . A computer readable media storing instructions wherein said instructions when executed are adapted to render a pixel from an anti-aliased image using at least one processor with a method comprising:
 storing a first set and a second set of samples from a plurality of anti-aliased samples of the pixel respectively in a first memory and a second memory; and   rendering a determined number of said samples from one of only the first set or the first and second sets.   
     
     
         21 . The computer readable media of  claim 20 , wherein the method further comprising:
 rendering said one or more samples from the first set optionally followed by samples from the second set, according to a predetermined sequence, up to the determined number of samples are rendered.   
     
     
         22 . The computer readable media of  claim 20 , wherein samples from the second set are rendered if the first set has less than the determined number of samples. 
     
     
         23 . The computer readable media of  claim 22 , wherein the first memory is a graphics memory coupled to a graphics processor unit (GPU) and the second memory is a system memory.