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U.S. Department of Energy
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Computer graphics on massively parallel machines

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6090190
A general technique for creating realistic synthetic images on massively parallel machines is presented. The methodology attempts to fully exploit the completely distributed structure of these novel computers by assigning individual processors to regions of space. Unfortunately, most examples of massively parallel computers in use today consist of only two-dimensional processor grids rather than true three-dimensional ones. Anticipating future developments, a three-dimensional virtual machine model is first defined which directly interprets a newly devised programming language called MCM. Graphics algorithms are developed for this virtual machine and then implemented in this new language. To actually create synthetic images, MCM programs are translated into the native language of some appropriate physical device, usually a Connection Machine, where they are eventually executed. The overall procedure for generating synthetic images on a massively parallel machine consists of two major components. The first is a modeling activity which serves to initialized processor memories with specified optical parameters. Once processor memories have been initialized after modeling, images are created using a two-phase rendering method. The first step in this procedure simulates light propagation and its interaction with matter by using principles of wave mechanics. After intensity data has been distributed throughout a processor grid by the lighting simulation, the second rendering phase collects this information into a screen image via a massively parallel ray-tracing procedure.
Research Organization:
Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
OSTI ID:
6090190
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English