COMPUTER GRAPHICS OPTIQUE: Optical Superposition of Projected Computer Graphics
Abstract
We present some ideas and demonstrations for a hybrid projector-based rendering and
display technique we call Computer Graphics Optique. Instead of partially overlapping
projected images to achieve a wide-area display, we completely overlap projected images
on top of each other to achieve the addition of light and color in an "optical composition
buffer''. The idea is to use the optical composition to replace some analytical
computation, to increase rendering speed, gain flexibility, intensity range, and intensity
resolution. Where projector-based displays are appropriate, potential uses include the
optical realization of certain effects normally requiring a digital accumulation buffer, the
optical composition of heterogeneous lighting techniques, and the ability to use
heterogeneous graphics engines, in parallel. In addition one can make use of the optical
projector control of focus augmented with the optical superposition to achieve effects that
are otherwise computationally expensive. We believe that this technique offers the
possibility of a new paradigm for combined rendering and projector-based display.