DocumentCode :
1463110
Title :
Adaptive parallel rendering on multiprocessors and workstation clusters
Author :
Lin, Wai-Sum ; Lau, Rynson W.H. ; Hwang, Kai ; Lin, Xiaola ; Cheung, Paul Y S
Author_Institution :
Hong Kong Univ., China
Volume :
12
Issue :
3
fYear :
2001
fDate :
3/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Firstpage :
241
Lastpage :
258
Abstract :
This paper presents the design and performance of a new parallel graphics renderer for 3D images. This renderer is based on an adaptive supersampling approach that works for time/space-efficient execution on two classes of parallel computers. Our rendering scheme takes subpixel supersamples only along polygon edges. This leads to a significant reduction in rendering time and in buffer memory requirements. Furthermore, we offer a balanced rasterization of all transformed polygons. Experimental results prove these advantages on both a shared-memory SGI multiprocessor server and a Unix cluster of Sun workstations. We reveal performance effects of the new rendering scheme on subpixel resolution, polygon number, scene complexity, and memory requirements. The balanced parallel renderer demonstrates scalable performance with respect to increase in graphic complexity and in machine size. Our parallel renderer outperforms Crow´s scheme in benchmark experiments performed. The improvements are made in three fronts: (1) reduction in rendering time, (2) higher efficiency with balanced workload,: and (3) adaptive to available buffer memory size. The balanced renderer can be more cost-effectively embedded within many 3D graphics algorithms, such as those for edge smoothing and 3D visualization. Our parallel renderer is MPI-coded, offering high portability and cross-platform performance. These advantages can greatly improve the QoS in 3D imaging and in real-time interactive graphics
Keywords :
computer graphics; multiprocessing systems; performance evaluation; rendering (computer graphics); resource allocation; workstation clusters; 3D images; 3D imaging; 3D visualization; QoS; Sun workstations; Unix cluster; adaptive parallel rendering; adaptive supersampling approach; balanced rasterization; buffer memory requirements; buffer memory size; design; graphic complexity; machine size; memory requirements; multiprocessors; parallel graphics renderer; performance; polygon edges; real-time interactive graphics; scene complexity; shared-memory SGI multiprocessor server; subpixel supersamples; transformed polygons; workstation clusters; Application software; Clustering algorithms; Computer graphics; Concurrent computing; Hardware; Layout; Quality of service; Rendering (computer graphics); Visualization; Workstations;
fLanguage :
English
Journal_Title :
Parallel and Distributed Systems, IEEE Transactions on
Publisher :
ieee
ISSN :
1045-9219
Type :
jour
DOI :
10.1109/71.914755
Filename :
914755
Link To Document :
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