Java™ Media APIs: Cross-Platform Imaging, Media, and Visualization

Inside the Rendering Pipeline

As we have said, 3D graphics involves creating a 3D model, establishing a viewing volume, and then rendering that viewing volume as a 2D plane. A pretty standard series of steps is used in creating the pixels that are ultimately put on the screen. This series of steps is frequently referred to as the rendering pipeline. The vast majority of 3D APIs follow these steps (shown in Figure 10.6). The top row refers to the five basic steps in the pipeline with the arrow indicating the order of steps. The bottom row indicates roughly where Java 3D fits into this picture. Note, however, that major differences exist in what specifically happens at each step.

Figure 10.6. Schematic of the typical rendering pipeline.

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