JPH0947576A - Three dimensional game device and image synthesize method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a necessary and sufficient realistic image with little processed quantity. SOLUTION: This three dimensional game device contains a displaying body information memory part 16 to store displaying body information containing at least one of position information or posture information of a displaying body model to be set in a game space, a pseudo-shadow information memory part 18 to store pseudo-shadow information containing at least position information of a pseudo-shadow model to express a simplified shadow of a displaying body model imaged on a prescribed projection plane, and a pseudo-shadow information trailing part 20 to change pseudo-shadow information stored in the pseudo-shadow information memory part 18 based on a restraining condition determined corresponding to the position or the shape of the displaying body information and the projection plane stored in the displaying information memory part 16 to make the pseudo-shadow model trail the displaying body model.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional game device and an image synthesizing method, and more particularly to a three-dimensional game device and an image synthesizing method capable of facilitating processing of a shadow of a display object in a virtual three-dimensional space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an expression method for displaying a shadow of an object in a game device has been known. The shadow is one of important information for the observer to recognize the object accurately, and by displaying the shadow, the positional relationship of the object can be made clear, and it is suitable for displaying the object. It can give a sense of depth. Therefore, in order to create more realistic images, the display of shadows is indispensable.

However, the processing for displaying the shadow of the object in the three-dimensional image processing generally requires a large amount of calculation and requires a large-capacity storage device. In particular, high-speed moving image processing is indispensable in a three-dimensional game device, and there is a certain limit in accurate shadow processing of an object.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional game apparatus and an image synthesizing method capable of displaying a sufficiently realistic shadow with a small amount of processing. .

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space. Pseudo shadow information storage means for storing pseudo shadow information including at least position information of a pseudo shadow model that simplifies the shadow of the display body model projected on a given projection plane, and stored in the display body information storage means The pseudo shadow information stored in the pseudo shadow information storage means is changed based on the display object information and the constraint condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection plane, and the pseudo shadow model is displayed. And a pseudo shadow information follower for moving the body model.

According to the present invention, the shadow of the display model projected on the given projection plane is simply represented as the pseudo shadow model. Then, the pseudo shadow information is changed based on the constraint condition defined by the projection plane and the display body information.

In this way, by simplifying the shadow of the display model, the amount of calculation required to display the shadow can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the pseudo shadow model follows the display body model in accordance with the position and posture of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space, the player sets the posture of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space to the pseudo shadow model. It is possible to easily recognize it from the appearance, and it is possible to realistically and sufficiently express the shadow of the display body model.

As a result, when the present invention is applied to, for example, a three-dimensional game device that requires high-speed moving image processing, it can be used for moving image processing of other display objects in a virtual three-dimensional space.
The computing ability of the three-dimensional game device can be distributed, and a more entertaining three-dimensional game device can be developed.

Further, according to the present invention, in claim 1, the display body information storage means stores representative point coordinate information of two points following the display body model as the display body information, and the pseudo shadow information. The driven means changes at least the position information of the pseudo shadow information based on the coordinate information of the two representative points.

According to the present invention, at least the position of the pseudo shadow model is determined using the representative point coordinate information of the two points following the display body model. Also, for example, the above 2
The size, direction and shape of the pseudo shadow model can be determined from the representative point coordinate information of the points. With this configuration, the pseudo shadow model can be suitably driven by the display model by using only two coordinate information among various kinds of information about the display model.

In the present invention according to claim 1 or 2, the pseudo shadow information follower means is based on height information of the display model from the projection surface, and at least size information or color information of the pseudo shadow model. One of the above is further modified.

According to the present invention, the pseudo shadow model can follow the display body model based on the height information of the display body model from the projection plane. For example, it is possible to change the density and the like of the pseudo shadow model in accordance with the height of the display body model from the projection surface and to drive the pseudo shadow model. With this configuration, the height of the display body model from the projection plane can be recognized from the pseudo shadow model.

According to the present invention, a display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least body posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the display body model projected on a given projection plane. Pseudo shadow information storage unit for storing pseudo shadow information including at least position information of the pseudo shadow model that simplifies the shadow of No. 1, and posture determination unit for determining the posture of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space, The pseudo shadow information storage based on the information corresponding to the determination result of the body posture determination means of the display body information stored in the display body information storage means and the binding condition determined according to the arrangement and shape of the projection plane. Means for changing the pseudo shadow information stored in the means and causing the pseudo shadow model to follow the posture of the display body model. And butterflies.

According to the present invention, the posture of the display body model is discriminated by the posture discriminating means in correspondence with the information for suitably following the pseudo shadow model of the display body information to the display body model. It Then, the pseudo shadow information selection driven unit appropriately drives the pseudo shadow model according to the determined posture.

Here, the posture determining means determines the posture of the display body model based on the display body information, the game program, operation information by the player, or the like. For example,
When the display body model represents a human, the posture determination means determines whether the display body model is a posture in which the display body model stands up with both feet or a prone posture, and the projection surface of the head of the display body model. It can be determined according to the height information from the game or the game program.

In this way, the pseudo shadow model can be more preferably driven by the display body model.

According to the present invention, a pseudo shadow which is a model composed of a display body model and one or more polygons to which textures are mapped and which simply represents a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display body model. A three-dimensional game apparatus for arranging a model in a virtual three-dimensional space, wherein display body information storage means stores display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of the display body model, and the pseudo shadow. Pseudo shadow polygon information storage means for storing the position information of the edge of the polygon of the model, and texture information of the texture mapped to the polygon of the pseudo shadow model,
It is determined according to the pseudo shadow texture information storage means stored corresponding to the position information of the edge portion of the texture, the display body information stored in the display body information storage means, and the arrangement or shape of the projection plane. Pseudo-shadow information follower means for changing the position information of the edge portion of the polygon of the pseudo-shadow model stored in the pseudo-shadow polygon information storage means on the basis of the constraint condition and moving the pseudo-shadow model according to the display body model. And the pseudo shadow texture information storage means,
It is characterized in that the texture information is stored so as to include a circular or elliptical black portion and an uncolored transparent portion arranged outside the black portion.

According to the present invention, the texture information storage means stores circular or elliptical texture information. Then, the polygon and the texture of the pseudo shadow model are mapped so that their respective edges match. Therefore, when the pseudo shadow information follower changes the position information of the edge portion of the polygon of the pseudo shadow model, the texture is expanded / contracted and mapped. In this way, the pseudo shadow model can be deformed to have various elliptical shapes with different axial lengths and can be driven by the display body model.

The texture information is not limited to the color information of the pseudo shadow model, and various kinds of information such as reflectance, refractive index, transparency, and surface roughness can be used as the texture information.

The present invention is a model which is composed of a display body model and one or more polygons to which textures are mapped, and which is a pseudo shadow that simplifies and represents a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display body model. A three-dimensional game apparatus for arranging a model in a virtual three-dimensional space, wherein display body information storage means stores display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of the display body model, and the pseudo shadow. The pseudo shadow polygon information storage means for storing the position information of the polygon of the model, the pseudo shadow texture information storage means for storing the texture information of the texture mapped to the polygon of the pseudo shadow model, and the display body information storage means. The pseudo shadow polygon information is stored based on the stored display body information and the binding condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection surface. Pseudo-shadow information driven means for changing the position information of the edges of the polygons of the pseudo-shadow model stored in the storage means, and moving the pseudo-shadow model according to the display body model, the texture information, and the surface of the projection plane. And a semi-transparent calculation unit that performs a semi-transparent calculation based on the information.

According to the present invention, the semitransparent computing means is
Based on the texture information and the surface information of the projection surface, information that represents the appearance of the projection surface through the shadow is derived.
With this, the pseudo shadow model is displayed as a penumbra image, and the shadow in the virtual three-dimensional space can be more realistically represented.

The texture information is not limited to the color information of the pseudo shadow model, and various kinds of information such as reflectance, refractive index, transparency, surface roughness can be used as the texture information.

According to the present invention, a display object model representing a game character and a pseudo shadow model representing a shadow of the display object model are arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the pseudo shadow model has both feet or both hands of the display object model. It is characterized in that it has an elliptical shape with the positions obtained by projecting the approximate position of (1) on a given projection plane as the end points of the axis.

According to the present invention, the pseudo shadow model is displayed so as to have an elliptical shape whose axis length is changed according to the positions of both feet or both hands of the display body. By doing so, the shadow of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space can be simplified and represented. Then, since the pseudo shadow model is deformed and displayed according to the movement of both feet of the display model, the player can easily recognize the motion of the display model from the shape of the pseudo shadow model. I can. It should be noted that the game character corresponds to, for example, a sports player or a robot depending on the game program.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Each of the embodiments described below is one in which the present invention is applied to a three-dimensional game device that simulates a basketball game in a virtual three-dimensional space (hereinafter referred to as "game space"), and in particular, a basketball player in the game space. As a shadow of (hereinafter referred to as “character model”), a pseudo shadow simplified to an elliptical shape (hereinafter referred to as “pseudo shadow model”) is displayed.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a view showing the arrangement of the present three-dimensional game apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 shown in the figure
In the three-dimensional game device, the storage unit 10 (memory) stores information about the position and appearance of each display body in the game space, and the processing unit 12 stores the various information of the game space stored in the storage unit 10 into a game program. Or rewrite and change at any time according to the player's instructions. Further, the processing unit 12 outputs various information of the game space, which is rewritten and changed at any time, to the display unit 14 at predetermined intervals, and the display unit 14 outputs the image to a display device such as a display device.

In the above configuration, the storage unit 10 is particularly preferable.
The display body information storage unit 16 and the pseudo shadow information storage unit 18 are provided in the display body information storage unit 16, and the display body information storage unit 16 stores the position information of each part of the character model in the game space. 18 stores information about the position of the elliptical pseudo shadow model in the game space and the information about the length of the axis. On the other hand, the processing section 12 is provided with a pseudo shadow information follower section 20, and the pseudo shadow information storage section 18 stores the pseudo shadow information based on the position information of the character model stored in the display body information storage section 16. Change the position information of the shadow model and the information about the axis length.

In this way, the pseudo shadow model displayed in a simplified elliptical shape is changed in position according to the character model, or the length of the axis is changed so that it is displayed as an image. Therefore, by expressing the shadow of the character model using the simplified shadow model that is displayed, the shadow of the character model in the game space can be displayed as an image by a simpler process, and is suitable for the character model. Following this, the pseudo shadow model is displayed as an image, and the player of the present three-dimensional game device can enjoy a more realistic image display.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a three-dimensional game device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this three-dimensional game device, each display body represented by combining a plurality of polygons is arranged in the game space, and they are perspective-projected on a predetermined perspective projection plane of the viewpoint coordinate system to display a display image. It is synthesized. Then, a method called texture mapping is used in the image synthesis. That is, the image information of each display body is separately stored into the image information of each polygon constituting the display body and the surface information (hereinafter referred to as “texture information”) attached to each polygon, and the image is output. At this time, image composition is performed by pasting texture information corresponding to each polygon. According to this texture mapping method, the pattern, color, etc. of the model can be made finer without increasing the number of polygons to be processed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present three-dimensional game device. In the three-dimensional game device shown in the same figure, the storage unit 100 stores the positions of display bodies such as character models, competition courts, spectator seats, and balls in the game space, the positions of polygons representing the display bodies, and texture information. Remembered On the other hand, the player of the present three-dimensional game device uses the operation unit 102 to instruct the processing unit 104 to move the character model in the game space. And the storage unit 1
The information stored in 00 is subjected to various calculations based on the instruction and the game program, and updated at any time. The game space newly constructed in the storage unit 100 is displayed on a display device such as a display by the display unit 106.

In the storage unit 100, in order to store information about the character model, the coordinates of the vertices of polygons (hereinafter referred to as "character polygons") forming the character model are stored. A unit 108 and a display body texture information storage unit 110 in which texture information of textures to be mapped to character polygons are stored in advance are provided.

Further, in the storage unit 100, in order to store information on the pseudo shadow model, the coordinates of the vertices of the polygons (hereinafter, referred to as "pseudo shadow polygons") forming the pseudo shadow model are stored. Shadow polygon information storage unit 1
12 and a pseudo shadow texture information storage unit 114 in which texture information of textures mapped to pseudo shadow polygons is stored in advance.

Further, there is provided a projection plane information storage unit 116 in which the surface information of the projection plane on which the shadow of the character model in the game space is projected is stored in advance.

Next, the processing section 104 is particularly provided with a pseudo shadow information driven section 118 and a semi-transparent calculation section 120, and the pseudo shadow information driven section 118 is stored in the display body polygon information storage section 108. The vertex coordinate information of the pseudo shadow polygon stored in the pseudo shadow polygon information storage unit 112 is changed based on the vertex coordinate information of the character polygon and the constraint condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection surface. And remember again.

Further, the semi-transparent operation unit 120, when displaying the pseudo shadow model on the display unit 106, the texture information of the texture of the pseudo shadow polygon stored in the pseudo shadow texture information storage unit 114 and the projection plane. The semitransparent calculation is performed based on the surface information of the projection surface stored in the information storage unit 116. In the present three-dimensional game device, the pseudo shadow model is the four pseudo shadow polygons 201 and 20 defined by the vertices V0 to V8 shown in FIG.
2, 203, and 204, and each pseudo-shadow polygon 20
1, 202, 203, and 204 are T1s shown in FIG.
Images are combined based on the texture information 210 defined by the vertices of T2, T3, and T4. In the texture information 210, the inside of a quarter circle passing through the vertices T2 and T3 with the vertex T4 as the center is defined in semitransparent black, and the outside thereof is defined as transparent and stored. Then, based on this texture information 210, the pseudo shadow polygon 20
When synthesizing images 1, 202, 203, and 204, when the pseudo shadow polygons 201, 202, 203, and 204 are arranged at positions closest to the viewpoint in the game space,
Next, the image is combined with the color related to the combination with the polygon closest to the viewpoint.

That is, the pseudo shadow models 201, 20
In the case of 2, 203, and 204, the texture information 2
In the transparent portion of 10, the image is combined as it is with the color of the projection surface, and in the semi-transparent black portion of the texture information 210, the semi-transparent operation unit 120 adds black to the color of the projection surface according to its transparency and mixes it. A semi-transparent operation is performed to synthesize an image. By doing so, a so-called penumbra can be expressed by using the semi-transparent black color, and the shadow in the game space can be expressed more realistically.

When the texture information 210 is mapped to the pseudo shadow polygon, the texture information 21
Each vertex T1 to T4 of 0 is a pseudo shadow polygon 201, 20
Mapping is performed so as to correspond to the vertices V0 to V8 of 2, 203, and 204, respectively. Therefore, the vertices T1 to T4 of the texture information 210 and the pseudo shadow polygon 20
One piece of texture information 2 representing a quarter circle according to the correspondence relationship between the vertices V0 to V8 of 1, 202, 203, and 204.
10 pseudo-shadow polygons 201, 202, 2
It can be mapped to 03 and 204. Further, the texture information 21 is set so that the positions of the vertices coincide with each other.
By mapping 0, the pseudo shadow models 201, 20
When 2, 203, and 204 are transformed into, for example, a rectangle, the texture information 210 is stretched and mapped in the direction of the extended side of the rectangle. Therefore, the pseudo shadow models 201, 202, 203, and 204 to which the texture information 210 is mapped in this way are displayed in an elliptical image.

According to the configuration described above, if the player specifies various actions such as a running action or a jumping action in the designated direction with respect to the character model by the operation unit 102, the character model designates the action in the game space. The pseudo shadow model is displayed following the character model. Here, in particular, a case where the character model performs a motion of running in a designated direction will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which one frame of the running motion of the character model is displayed by the three-dimensional game device. At the feet of the character model 220 shown in the figure, an elliptical pseudo shadow model 224 arranged on the projection plane 222 so that the traveling direction and the direction of the long axis coincide with each other.
Is displayed. As described above, in the present three-dimensional game device, the pseudo shadow model 224 having a shape corresponding to the traveling direction of the character model 220 is displayed, which has an advantage that the player can easily grasp the motion and position of the character model 220. .

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a specific procedure for displaying the character model 220 as shown in FIG. 4 and the pseudo shadow model 224 showing its shadow in the present three-dimensional game apparatus. . 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a game space in the present three-dimensional game device, and FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a pseudo shadow model 224 in the game space of the present three-dimensional game device. Hereinafter, description will be made based on these drawings.

First, when a command to move the character model 220 along the coordinate axes of the game space in the X axis direction is issued from the operation unit 102 by the player's operation (S1).
By the processing unit 104, the vertex coordinate information of the character polygon stored in the display body polygon information storage unit 108 is rewritten and updated by the information after the movement according to the instruction and the game program (S2).

Next, the pseudo shadow information follower 118 acquires coordinate information of points A and B, which are one of the vertices of the polygon representing the toes of both feet of the character model 220, from the display object polygon information storage 108. (See S3, FIGS. 4 and 6).
Then, the position information of the points A ′ and B ′ obtained by projecting the coordinates of the points A and B onto the projection surface 222 is derived from these information and the predetermined position information of the projection surface 222 (competition court) (S4, FIG. 6). reference). Next, the distance d between the two points A ′ and B ′ thus obtained, the angle θ with respect to the negative direction of the Z axis, and the midpoint coordinate M of both coordinates are obtained (S5, see FIG. 6).

Further, the pseudo shadow information follower 118 sets the length d of one of the axes centered on the position of the midpoint coordinate M, and the angle between the axis and the Z axis positive direction is the angle θ. The new position of each polygon forming the pseudo shadow model 224 is derived (S6), and the vertex coordinates of the new pseudo shadow polygon are stored and updated in the pseudo shadow polygon information storage unit 112 (S7, FIG. 7). reference).

In this way, each information of the game space newly constructed in the storage unit 100 is displayed on the display device such as a display by the display unit 106, and the pseudo shadow model 224 is driven according to the movement of the character model 220. And is displayed (S8). At this time, since the texture mapping method is employed in the present three-dimensional game apparatus as described above, the pseudo shadow polygons 201, 202, 2 representing the pseudo shadow model 224 transformed from a square to a rectangle are formed.
In order to attach the texture information 210 to 03 and 204, the respective vertex positions are mapped so as to coincide with each other. Therefore, the pseudo shadow model is displayed in an elliptical shape.

Further, in the present three-dimensional game device, when the above-mentioned texture information 210 is mapped, the texture information 210 and the surface information of the projection surface 222 stored in the projection surface information storage unit 116 are the semitransparent operation unit 120. Is semi-transparently calculated and displayed as an image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the projection surface 222 is displayed on the display portion of the pseudo shadow model 224.
The pattern 226 is displayed transparently.

Further, in order to display the ball in the three-dimensional game apparatus, the model 228 representing the ball and the pseudo shadow of the ball in the game space are displayed in the same manner as in the case of the image composition of the character model and the pseudo shadow model. The model 230 to be represented may be formed. At this time, if a semi-transparent black pattern is used as the texture information of the model 230 representing the pseudo shadow of the ball, the situation in which two or more shadows are overlapped can be suitably displayed as an image (see FIG. 4). ).

The length of the axis of the pseudo shadow model is set to the distance d instead of the distance d as in the processing procedure described above.
Is preferably multiplied by a constant or a length obtained by adding a certain distance to the distance d, so that more effective pseudo shadow image display is performed.

With the above processing, the character model 220 as shown in FIG.
When the character is moving, the character model 220 is stepping on one foot in the traveling direction, and the pseudo shadow model 224
Are arranged on the projection surface 222 (competition court) such that their major axes overlap in the traveling direction. Further, according to the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the character model 220 has an upright posture on the projection surface 222 and both feet of the character model 220 are closed, the pseudo shadow model 224 having a relatively small elliptical shape is displayed.

As described above, according to the present three-dimensional game device, the size and direction of the pseudo shadow changes and follows the character model 220 depending on the posture and posture of the character model 220. The posture and posture of the model 220 can be recognized.

Further, as described above, according to the present three-dimensional game device, a simplified shape is used as the shape of the pseudo shadow model 224, and a relatively small amount of information derived from a part of the information of the character model 220 is used. , The placement of the pseudo shadow model 224 can be designated. For this reason, the amount of calculation required for the shadow processing is significantly smaller than that of the conventional shadow processing method in which all the information representing the display object is used to calculate the shadow information. Therefore, according to the present 3D game apparatus, the shadow processing can be extremely suitably performed in the 3D game apparatus that requires high-speed moving image processing.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the character model 300 and its pseudo shadow model 302 are displayed by the three-dimensional game device according to the third embodiment, and the character model 300 running on the competition court 304 toward the goal ring 306. Shows a state in which both feet of the character model 300 are largely swung in the traveling direction due to inertial force (hereinafter referred to as “shooting posture”) when the player grips the goal ring 306.

According to the three-dimensional game apparatus according to the second embodiment described above, the length of the ellipse axis of the pseudo shadow model 224 is changed based on the positions of both feet of the character model 220, regardless of the posture of the character model 220. Although it is displayed as an image, it may be preferable to deform the pseudo shadow model with reference to parts other than both feet when the posture of the character model changes significantly.

For example, in the shooting posture shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that the pseudo shadow model has an elliptical shape extending from the lower part of the buttocks to the lower part of the toes. Therefore, in this three-dimensional game device, the coordinate information of the toes of both feet is used. Instead of determining the placement and shape of the pseudo shadow model, the placement and shape of the pseudo shadow model is determined from the coordinate information of the midpoint P of the toes of both feet and the coordinate information of one point Q of the buttocks.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present three-dimensional game device capable of performing such image processing. In the figure, the components corresponding to those of the three-dimensional game device are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Processing unit 3 of the present three-dimensional game device shown in FIG.
At 08, in particular, a posture determination unit 310 and a pseudo shadow information selection driven unit 312 are provided. The posture determination unit 310
The posture of the character model 300 is determined based on the information from the display body information storage unit 16, the signal from the operation unit 102, or the game program. That is, for example, in the case of the present embodiment, the shadow of the character model 300 is
Whether the posture should be deformed and displayed based on the position coordinates of the toes of both feet, or the posture should be deformed and displayed based on the position coordinates of the midpoint P of the toes of both feet and the position coordinate of one point Q of the buttocks. Is determined based on, for example, the bending angle of the polygon of the waist of the character model 300 or based on the game program.

Further, the pseudo shadow information selection driven unit 312 is
Reads the display body information from the display body information storage unit 16 based on the determination by the posture determination unit 310, and rewrites and changes the pseudo shadow information stored in the pseudo shadow information storage unit 18 based on the read information. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, when the posture determining unit 310 determines that the character model 300 is in a posture in which the character model 300 is standing with both feet, the toes of both legs of the character model 300 are the same as in the above-described embodiments. When the pseudo shadow information is changed based on the position coordinate of one point, and the posture determination unit 310 determines that the character model 300 is in the shooting posture, the character model 3
The pseudo shadow information is changed based on the position coordinates of the midpoint P of the toes of both feet of 00 and the position Q of the one point Q of the buttocks.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of image processing in the three-dimensional game device having the above-mentioned configuration. Hereinafter, the processing of the three-dimensional game device according to the present embodiment will be described in order with reference to FIG.

First, the character model 300 is temporarily set to X in the game space from the operation unit 102 by the operation of the player.
When an instruction to move in the axial direction is given (S10
1) The processing unit 308 rewrites and updates the display body information stored in the display body information storage unit 16 in accordance with the instruction and the game program (S1).
02).

Next, the posture determination unit 310 determines the posture of the character model 300 based on the display body information stored in the display body information storage unit 16 (S103). Then, based on the determination, the pseudo shadow information selection driven unit 312 reads out necessary data from the display body information stored in the display body information storage unit 16 and derives the position of a new pseudo shadow model based on the data ( S104). Then, the information is stored in the pseudo shadow information storage unit 18 as pseudo shadow information and updated (S105).

In this way, each information of the game space newly constructed in the storage unit 308 is displayed on a display device such as a display by the display unit 14, and the character model 3 is displayed.
The pseudo shadow model 302 is driven and displayed corresponding to the movement of 00 (S106).

As described above, the character model 3
Even when 00 takes a significantly different posture in the game space, the shadow of the character model 300 can be appropriately added without greatly complicating the image processing.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made.

For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the information regarding the height of the shadow of the character model from the projection plane is further read from the coordinate information of the toe of the character model, and the color information of the pseudo shadow information is changed based on that information. May be.
Specifically, when the pseudo shadow model is displayed in semi-transparent black, if the transparency information stored in the texture information of the pseudo shadow model is changed according to the information regarding the height of the character model, It is possible to obtain the image display effect that the shadow density of the pseudo shadow model gradually becomes lighter when the model jumps. In this way, the height of the character model from the projection surface can be determined from the color of the shadow, so that the player can more easily determine the position of the character model.

Further, if the pseudo shadow information is further changed based on the position coordinates of the virtual light source of the pseudo shadow model of each of the above embodiments, the position, shape, color or the like of the pseudo shadow model changes with the movement of the light source. It can be done.

In the case where a fixed crane device is shaded in the virtual three-dimensional space, the position of the pseudo shadow model is determined based on a smaller number of display object information than when the character model is shaded. The shape can be changed. For example, when the light source is set above the crane device, the pseudo shadow information can be appropriately changed based on only the turning angle of the crane.

The texture information is not limited to the color information of the pseudo shadow model, and various kinds of information such as reflectance, refractive index, transparency, and surface roughness can be used as the texture information.

[0068]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a three-dimensional game device according to a first example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a three-dimensional game device according to a second example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating polygons of a pseudo shadow model of the 3D game device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which one frame of a running motion of a character model is displayed by the three-dimensional game device according to the second example.

FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional game device according to a second embodiment,
It is a flow figure explaining the procedure of the image processing which displays the shadow of a character model.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a game space in a three-dimensional game device according to a second example.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a pseudo shadow model in a game space of the three-dimensional game device according to the second example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which an upright posture of a character model on a competition court is displayed by the three-dimensional game device according to the second example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a character model and its pseudo shadow model are displayed by the three-dimensional game device according to the third example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a three-dimensional game device according to a third example.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of image processing of the three-dimensional game device according to the third example.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Display Object Information Storage Unit (Display Object Information Storage Means) 18 Pseudo Shadow Information Storage Unit (Pseudo Shadow Information Storage Means) 20, 118 Pseudo Shadow Information Follower (Pseudo Shadow Information Follower) 112 Pseudo Shadow Polygon Information Storage (Pseudo Shadow) Shadow polygon information storage means) 114 Pseudo shadow texture information storage part (pseudo shadow texture information storage means) 220, 300 Character model (display body model) 222 Projection surface 224, 302 Pseudo shadow model 310 Body posture determination portion (body posture determination means) 312 Pseudo shadow information selection driven unit (pseudo shadow information selection driven unit)

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and projected on a given projection surface. Pseudo shadow information storage means for storing pseudo shadow information including at least position information of a pseudo shadow model that simplifies the shadow of the display object model; the display object information stored in the display object information storage means; Pseudo-shadow information for changing the pseudo-shadow information stored in the pseudo-shadow information storage means on the basis of the constraint condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection plane and for moving the pseudo-shadow model according to the display body model A three-dimensional game device comprising: driven means. 2. The display body information storage means according to claim 1, wherein representative point coordinate information of two points following the display body model is stored as the display body information, and the pseudo shadow information driven means is A three-dimensional game device, wherein at least the position information of the pseudo shadow information is changed based on the coordinate information of the two representative points. 3. The pseudo shadow information follower unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of size information and color information of the pseudo shadow model is based on height information of the display body model from the projection surface. A three-dimensional game device characterized by further changing one. 4. A display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a shadow of the display body model projected on a given projection plane. A pseudo shadow information storage unit that stores pseudo shadow information including at least position information of a pseudo shadow model that is simplified, and a posture determination unit that determines a posture of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space; The pseudo shadow information storage means is stored in the pseudo shadow information storage means on the basis of information corresponding to the discrimination result of the posture determination means of the display body information stored in the body information storage means and the binding condition determined according to the arrangement and shape of the projection plane. Pseudo shadow information selecting driven means for changing the stored pseudo shadow information and causing the pseudo shadow model to follow the posture of the display body model. That the three-dimensional game apparatus. 5. A display body model and a pseudo shadow model which is a model composed of one or more polygons to which textures are mapped and which simplifies a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display body model. Is a three-dimensional game device for arranging in a virtual three-dimensional space, and display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of the display body model; Pseudo shadow polygon information storage means for storing position information of the edge of the polygon, and texture information of texture mapped to the polygon of the pseudo shadow model is stored in correspondence with the position information of the edge of the texture. Shadow texture information storage means, determined according to the arrangement or shape of the display body information and the projection plane stored in the display body information storage means Pseudo-shadow information follower means for changing the position information of the edge portion of the polygon of the pseudo-shadow model stored in the pseudo-shadow polygon information storage means on the basis of the binding condition and moving the pseudo-shadow model according to the display body model. And the pseudo shadow texture information storage means stores the texture information so as to include a circular or elliptical black portion and an uncolored transparent portion arranged outside the black portion. A three-dimensional game device characterized by. 6. A display body model, and a pseudo shadow model that is a model composed of one or more polygons to which textures are mapped and that simply represents a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display body model. Is a three-dimensional game device for arranging in a virtual three-dimensional space, and display body information storage means for storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of the display body model; Pseudo-shadow polygon information storage means for storing polygon position information, pseudo-shadow texture information storage means for storing texture information of textures mapped to polygons of the pseudo-shadow model, and display body information storage means. The pseudo shadow polygon information storage based on the display body information and the constraint condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection plane. Pseudo shadow information follower means for changing the position information of the edges of the polygons of the pseudo shadow model stored in a row and moving the pseudo shadow model according to the display body model; the texture information and the surface information of the projection surface. A three-dimensional game device comprising: a semi-transparent calculation unit that performs a semi-transparent calculation based on 7. A display object model representing a game character and a pseudo shadow model representing a shadow of the display object model are arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the pseudo shadow model is an outline of both feet or both hands of the display object model. A three-dimensional game device having an elliptical shape having both ends of an axis at positions projected onto a given projection plane. 8. A display body information storing step of storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the image is displayed on a given projection surface. A pseudo shadow information storing step of storing pseudo shadow information including at least position information of a pseudo shadow model that simplifies a shadow of the display object model; the display object information stored in the display object information storing step; Pseudo-shadow information for changing the pseudo-shadow information stored in the pseudo-shadow information storing step on the basis of the constraint condition determined according to the arrangement or shape of the projection surface and for moving the pseudo-shadow model according to the display body model An image synthesizing method comprising: a driven step. 9. A display body information storing step of storing display body information including at least body posture information of a display body model arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a shadow of the display body model projected on a given projection plane. A pseudo shadow information storage step of storing pseudo shadow information including at least position information of a pseudo shadow model represented in a simplified form; a posture determination step of determining a posture of the display body model in the virtual three-dimensional space; In the pseudo shadow information storing step, based on information corresponding to a determination result of the body posture determining step of the display body information stored in the body information storing step and a binding condition determined according to an arrangement and a shape of the projection plane. Pseudo shadow information for changing the stored pseudo shadow information and causing the pseudo shadow model to follow the posture of the display body model. An image synthesizing method comprising: a selection driven step. 10. A display model, and a pseudo shadow model which is a model composed of one or more polygons to which textures are mapped and which simply represents a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display model. Is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and texture information of the texture mapped to the polygon of the pseudo shadow model is stored in the pseudo shadow texture information storage means in correspondence with the position information of the edge of the texture. A display body information storage step of storing display body information including at least one of position information and posture information of the display body model; and pseudo shadow polygon information storing position information of an edge portion of the polygon of the pseudo shadow model. A storage step; a step of defining the display body information stored in the display body information storage step and the arrangement or shape of the projection surface. Pseudo shadow information for changing the position information of the edge of the polygon of the pseudo shadow model stored in the pseudo shadow polygon information storage means based on the binding condition to be set and for moving the pseudo shadow model according to the display body model. The pseudo shadow texture information storage means stores the texture information so as to include a circular or elliptical black portion and an uncolored transparent portion arranged outside the black portion. An image synthesizing method characterized by: 11. A display body model and a pseudo shadow model which is a model composed of one or more polygons to which textures are mapped and which simply represents a shadow projected on a given projection plane of the display body model. Is arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the texture information of the texture mapped to the polygon of the pseudo shadow model is stored in the pseudo shadow texture information storage means in correspondence with the position information of the edge of the texture. A display body information storage step of storing display body information including at least one of position information or posture information of the display body model; and a pseudo shadow polygon information storage step of storing position information of polygons of the pseudo shadow model. Is determined according to the display body information stored in the display body information storing step and the arrangement or shape of the projection surface. Pseudo-shadow information driven for changing the position information of the edge portion of the polygon of the pseudo-shadow model stored in the pseudo-shadow polygon information storing step based on the constraint condition to move the pseudo-shadow model to the display body model. And a semitransparent operation step of performing a semitransparent operation based on the texture information and the surface information of the projection surface.