Sprite (computer graphics): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:02, 13 October 2005

Revision as of 05:47, 14 October 2005

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More often a sprite now refers to a partially transparent two dimensional animation that is mapped onto a special plane in a three dimensional scene. Unlike a [[texture mapping|texture map]], the sprite plane is always perpendicular to the axis emanating from the camera. The image can be scaled to simulate [[perspective]], it can be rotated two dimensionally, it can overlap other objects and be [[occlusion|occluded]], but it can only ever be viewed from the same angle. This [[Rendering_%28computer_graphics%29|rendering]] method is also referred to as '''billboarding'''.

[[Image:SpriteExamplefromZeldaSpriteExamplefromZeldaWindwalker.jpg|thumb|450px|right|An example of sprite animation from the popular game [[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]. In this frame the brown puffs of smoke and the grass are integrated into the scene using sprites. Other objects in the frame such as the character (Link), the flower just behind his feet, and the rock walls and ground are more complicated three dimensional objects that employ [[texture mapping]]. (Notice that one sprite at the bottom of the largest puff of smoke is actually cutting into the ground, revealing its actual geometry.)]]

Sprites create an effective illusion when: