CHAPTER 11

Compositing, Blending, and Transparency

Blending and compositing describe the task of merging together disparate collections of pixels that occupy the same locations in the output image. The basic task can be described as combining the pixels from two or more input images to form a single output image. In the general case, compositing results depend on the order in which the images are combined. Compositing is useful in many areas of computer graphics. It makes it possible to create complex scenes by rendering individual components of the scene, then combining them. The combining process itself can also add complexity and interest to images.

Semi-transparent surfaces reflect some light while allowing some light from other surfaces ...

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