Hidden Surface Removal
1. One of the most challenging problems in computer graphics is the removal of hidden parts
from images of solid objects.
2. In real life, the opaque material of these objects obstructs the light rays from hidden parts
and prevents us from seeing them.
3. In the computer generation, no such automatic elimination takes place when objects are
projected onto the screen coordinate system.
4. Instead, all parts of every object, including many parts that should be invisible are displayed.
5. To remove these parts to create a more realistic image, we must apply a hidden line or
hidden surface algorithm to set of objects.
6. The algorithm operates on different kinds of scene models, generate various forms of output
or cater to images of different complexities.
7. All use some form of geometric sorting to distinguish visible parts of objects from those that
are hidden.
8. Just as alphabetical sorting is used to differentiate words near the beginning of the alphabet
from those near the ends.
9. Geometric sorting locates objects that lie near the observer and are therefore visible.
10. Hidden line and Hidden surface algorithms capitalize on various forms of coherence to
reduce the computing required to generate an image.
11. Different types of coherence are related to different forms of order or regularity in the image.
12. Scan line coherence arises because the display of a scan line in a raster image is usually
very similar to the display of the preceding scan line.
13. Frame coherence in a sequence of images designed to show motion recognizes that
successive frames are very similar.
14. Object coherence results from relationships between different objects or between separate
parts of the same objects.
15. A hidden surface algorithm is generally designed to exploit one or more of these coherence
properties to increase efficiency.
16. Hidden surface algorithm bears a strong resemblance to two-dimensional scan conversions.
Types of hidden surface detection algorithms
1. Object space methods
2. Image space methods
Object space methods: In this method, various parts of objects are compared. After
comparison visible, invisible or hardly visible surface is determined. These methods
generally decide visible surface. In the wireframe model, these are used to determine a
visible line. So these algorithms are line based instead of surface based. Method proceeds
by determination of parts of an object whose view is obstructed by other object and draws
these parts in the same color.
Image space methods: Here positions of various pixels are determined. It is used to locate
the visible surface instead of a visible line. Each point is detected for its visibility. If a point is
visible, then the pixel is on, otherwise off. So the object close to the viewer that is pierced by
a projector through a pixel is determined. That pixel is drawn is appropriate color.
These methods are also called a Visible Surface Determination. The implementation of
these methods on a computer requires a lot of processing time and processing power of the
computer.
The image space method requires more computations. Each object is defined clearly.
Visibility of each object surface is also determined.
Differentiate between Object space and Image space
method
Object Space Image Space
1. Image space is object based. It 1. It is a pixel-based method. It is concerned
concentrates on geometrical relation among with the final image, what is visible within
objects in the scene. each raster pixel.
2. Here line visibility or point visibility is
2. Here surface visibility is determined.
determined.
3. It is performed at the precision with which
3. It is performed using the resolution of the
each object is defined, No resolution is
display device.
considered.
4. Calculations are not based on the
4. Calculations are resolution base, so the
resolution of the display so change of object
change is difficult to adjust.
can be easily adjusted.
5. These were developed for vector graphics
5. These are developed for raster devices.
system.
6. Object-based algorithms operate on
6. These operate on object data.
continuous object data.
7. Vector display used for object method has 7. Raster systems used for image space
large address space. methods have limited address space.
8. Object precision is used for application 8. There are suitable for application where
where speed is required. accuracy is required.
9. It requires a lot of calculations if the image 9. Image can be enlarged without losing
is to enlarge. accuracy.
10. If the number of objects in the scene 10. In this method complexity increase with
increases, computation time also increases. the complexity of visible parts.
Similarity of object and Image space method
In both method sorting is used a depth comparison of individual lines, surfaces are objected
to their distances from the view plane.
Considerations for selecting or designing hidden surface algorithms: Following three
considerations are taken:
1. Sorting
2. Coherence
3. Machine
Sorting: All surfaces are sorted in two classes, i.e., visible and invisible. Pixels are colored
accordingly. Several sorting algorithms are available i.e.
1. Bubble sort
2. Shell sort
3. Quick sort
4. Tree sort
5. Radix sort
Different sorting algorithms are applied to different hidden surface algorithms. Sorting of
objects is done using x and y, z co-ordinates. Mostly z coordinate is used for sorting. The
efficiency of sorting algorithm affects the hidden surface removal algorithm. For sorting
complex scenes or hundreds of polygons complex sorts are used, i.e., quick sort, tree sort,
radix sort.
For simple objects selection, insertion, bubble sort is used.
Coherence
It is used to take advantage of the constant value of the surface of the scene. It is based on
how much regularity exists in the scene. When we moved from one polygon of one object to
another polygon of same object color and shearing will remain unchanged.
Types of Coherence
1. Edge coherence
2. Object coherence
3. Face coherence
4. Area coherence
5. Depth coherence
6. Scan line coherence
7. Frame coherence
8. Implied edge coherence
1. Edge coherence: The visibility of edge changes when it crosses another edge or it also
penetrates a visible edge.
2. Object coherence: Each object is considered separate from others. In object, coherence
comparison is done using an object instead of edge or vertex. If A object is farther from
object B, then there is no need to compare edges and faces.
3. Face coherence: In this faces or polygons which are generally small compared with the
size of the image.
4. Area coherence: It is used to group of pixels cover by same visible face.
5. Depth coherence: Location of various polygons has separated a basis of depth. Depth
of surface at one point is calculated, the depth of points on rest of the surface can often be
determined by a simple difference equation.
6. Scan line coherence: The object is scanned using one scan line then using the second
scan line. The intercept of the first line.
7. Frame coherence: It is used for animated objects. It is used when there is little change
in image from one frame to another.
8. Implied edge coherence: If a face penetrates in another, line of intersection can be
determined from two points of intersection.
Algorithms used for hidden line surface detection
1. Back Face Removal Algorithm
2. Z-Buffer Algorithm
3. Painter Algorithm
4. Scan Line Algorithm
5. Subdivision Algorithm
6. Floating horizon Algorithm
