Sweep-Plane Based Hidden-Feature-Elimination
In Image Space:
Simplest approach: Handle each polygon "separately".
In the dynamic data structure that tracks the current scan-line
there is an "Active Polygon List" that enumerates in arbitrary order all polygons
that are intersected by the current scan-line (sweep-plane position).
For each active polygon, there is an attached list of active edges
(x-sorted).
Compute the "inside" spans on a per-polygon basis; then write them to z-buffer.
Exploit Coherence on Scan-line:
(If you don't have z-buffer, but want to do this in software)
Sort all the active edges on the scan-line; process all at once
from left to right.
Depth order will not change randomly at any x; can only change at edges
or at (virtual) intersection lines
(to be found!).
During the x-sweep, keep depth-sorted active face list; check & update
list at every edge intersection.
If list is out of order, there was a cross-over; compute cross-over
point, and backtrack to it.
Exploit Line to Line Coherence:
Depth ordering of active faces does not change between vertically adjacent
spans (normally).
Also track intersection lines from line to line.
Now we can keep track of top face in each span;
this stays the same from line to line and needs to be evaluated only
at new edges & edge intersections,
i.e., at ends of coherent spans. --> NO z-buffer needed, all done in
software !
In Object Space:
There is no need to do above analysis on every scan-line !
Just do it at interesting y-locations: i.e., at vertices, and
y-values where (projections of) edges intersect.
Do this with full object-space precision. Keep track of emerging contours
of visible parts;
send visible polygon pieces to output/display device. Exploit coherence
of polygon contours.
