When rendering a scene for output that includes a light source that could cast shadows in a graphics processing system, the world-space volume for the scene to be rendered is first partitioned into a plurality of sub-volumes, and then a set of geometry to be processed for the scene that could cast a shadow from a light source to be considered for the scene in the sub-volume is determined for any sub-volume that is lit by a light source. The determined sets of geometry for the sub-volumes are then used to determine light source visibility parameters for output samples, such as vertex positions and/or screen space sampling positions, for the scene. The determined light source visibility parameter for an output sample is then used to modulate the effect of the light source at the output sample when rendering an output version of the output sample.

Altering properties of rendered objects and/or mixed reality environments utilizing control points associated with the rendered objects and/or mixed reality environments is described. Techniques described can include detecting a gesture performed by or in association with a control object. Based at least in part on detecting the gesture, techniques described can identify a target control point that is associated with a rendered object and/or a mixed reality environment. As the control object moves within the mixed reality environment, the target control point can track the movement of the control object. Based at least in part on the movement of the control object, a property of the rendered object and/or the mixed reality environment can be altered. A rendering of the rendered object and/or the mixed reality environment can be modified to reflect any alterations to the property.

Techniques for illumination-guided example-based stylization of 3D renderings are described. In implementations, a source image and a target image are obtained, where each image includes a multi-channel image having at least a style channel and multiple light path expression (LPE) channels having light propagation information. Then, the style channel of the target image is synthesized to mimic a stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image. As part of the synthesizing, the light propagation information is applied as guidance for synthesis of the style channel of the target image. Based on the guidance, the stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image is transferred to the style channel of the target image. Based on the transfer, the style channel of the target image is then generated for display of the target image via a display device.

Techniques for illumination-guided example-based stylization of 3D renderings are described. In implementations, a source image and a target image are obtained, where each image includes a multi-channel image having at least a style channel and multiple light path expression (LPE) channels having light propagation information. Then, the style channel of the target image is synthesized to mimic a stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image. As part of the synthesizing, the light propagation information is applied as guidance for synthesis of the style channel of the target image. Based on the guidance, the stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image is transferred to the style channel of the target image. Based on the transfer, the style channel of the target image is then generated for display of the target image via a display device.

A virtual-reality computing device comprises a pose sensor, a rendering tool, and a display. The pose sensor is configured to measure a current pose of the virtual-reality computing device in a physical space. The rendering tool is configured to receive a holographic animation of a 3D model that includes a sequence of holographic image frames. The rendering tool is also configured to receive a render-baked dynamic lighting animation that includes a sequence of lighting image frames corresponding to the sequence of holographic image frames. The rendering tool also is configured to derive a 2D view of the 3D model with a virtual perspective based on the current pose and texture map a corresponding lighting image frame to the 2D view of the 3D model to generate a rendered image frame of the 2D view with texture-mapped lighting. The display is configured to visually present the rendered image frame.

A virtual-reality computing device comprises a pose sensor, a rendering tool, and a display. The pose sensor is configured to measure a current pose of the virtual-reality computing device in a physical space. The rendering tool is configured to receive a holographic animation of a 3D model that includes a sequence of holographic image frames. The rendering tool is also configured to receive a render-baked dynamic lighting animation that includes a sequence of lighting image frames corresponding to the sequence of holographic image frames. The rendering tool also is configured to derive a 2D view of the 3D model with a virtual perspective based on the current pose and texture map a corresponding lighting image frame to the 2D view of the 3D model to generate a rendered image frame of the 2D view with texture-mapped lighting. The display is configured to visually present the rendered image frame.

A computer-implemented method for computing an envelope (BE) for a building to be designed, the method comprising: defining an initial volume (IV) of the building; and for each one a plurality of points (P1, P2, P3) of a boundary (PRB) of a neighboring region (PR) of the building, computing a cutting surface (CS) and modifying the initial volume by cutting out portions thereof extending above said cutting surface; wherein each cutting surface is defined in such a way that the initial volume, modified by cutting out portions thereof extending above it, projects over the corresponding point of the boundary a shadow (SW) whose duration is equal to a predetermined value; said envelope being defined by a boundary surface of a remaining volume. A computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method.

A computer-implemented method for computing an envelope (BE) for a building to be designed, the method comprising: defining an initial volume (IV) of the building; and for each one a plurality of points (P1, P2, P3) of a boundary (PRB) of a neighboring region (PR) of the building, computing a cutting surface (CS) and modifying the initial volume by cutting out portions thereof extending above said cutting surface; wherein each cutting surface is defined in such a way that the initial volume, modified by cutting out portions thereof extending above it, projects over the corresponding point of the boundary a shadow (SW) whose duration is equal to a predetermined value; said envelope being defined by a boundary surface of a remaining volume. A computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method.

A human challenge can be presented in an augmented reality user interface. A user can use a camera of a smart device to capture a video stream of the user's surroundings, and the smart device can superimpose a representation of an object on the image or video stream being captured by the smart device. The smart device can display in the user interface the image or video stream and the object superimposed thereon. The user will be prompted to perform a task with respect to one or more of these augmented reality objects displayed in the user interface. If the user properly performs the task, e.g., selects the correct augmented reality objects, the application will validate the user as a person.

A human challenge can be presented in an augmented reality user interface. A user can use a camera of a smart device to capture a video stream of the user's surroundings, and the smart device can superimpose a representation of an object on the image or video stream being captured by the smart device. The smart device can display in the user interface the image or video stream and the object superimposed thereon. The user will be prompted to perform a task with respect to one or more of these augmented reality objects displayed in the user interface. If the user properly performs the task, e.g., selects the correct augmented reality objects, the application will validate the user as a person.