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A graphics system configured to implement fogging according to an improved method based on radial distances. The amount of fog applied varies based on a spherical or radial distance from an object to a viewpoint. In another embodiment, the amount of fogging applied may depend on the cylindrical dist

A graphics system configured to implement fogging according to an improved method based on radial distances. The amount of fog applied varies based on a spherical or radial distance from an object to a viewpoint. In another embodiment, the amount of fogging applied may depend on the cylindrical distance form an object to a viewpoint. Fogging cylinders or spheres may be used to define fogging regions where the amount of fogging is applied according to different mathematical functions.

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1. A method for rendering an image based on a set of three dimensional (3D) graphics data comprising a plurality of graphics primitives, wherein the method comprises:receiving one of said graphics primitives from said set of 3D graphics data;calculating a radial distance from a viewpoint to said gra

1. A method for rendering an image based on a set of three dimensional (3D) graphics data comprising a plurality of graphics primitives, wherein the method comprises:receiving one of said graphics primitives from said set of 3D graphics data;calculating a radial distance from a viewpoint to said graphics primitive; andapplying a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance;wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive on a per vertex basis. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive on a per sample basis. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive on a per pixel basis. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises:applying no fogging to said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is less than a first distance;applying a first variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance; andapplying a second variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive according to a second mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said second distance. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises:applying no fogging to said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is less than a first distance;applying a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said first distance from said viewpoint and less than a second distance;applying a full level of fogging to said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said second distance. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said applying a full level of fogging to said graphics primitive comprises setting color values of said graphics primitive to predetermined fogging color values. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a variable amount of fogging comprises averaging one or more predetermined constant fogging color values with said graphics primitive's color values. 10. A computer software program embodied on a computer-readable medium, the computer software program comprising a plurality of instructions, wherein the instructions are configured to:read a set of 3D graphics data, wherein said set of 3D graphics data comprises a plurality of graphics primitives;calculate a radial distance from a viewpoint to one of said graphics primitives;apply a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance; andgenerate a set of output pixels in response to said 3D graphics data, wherein said set of output pixels is displayable to form an image on a display device;wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primiti ve to said viewpoint. 11. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive. 12. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color of said graphics primitive values on a per vertex basis. 13. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive on a per sample basis. 14. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said graphics primitive on a per pixel basis. 15. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is less than a first distance;a first variable amount of fogging for said graphics primitive according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance;a second variable amount of fogging for said graphics primitive according to a second mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said second distance. 16. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is less than a first distance;a variable amount of fogging for said graphics primitive according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance;a full level of fogging for said graphics primitive when the radial distance of said graphics primitive is greater than said second distance. 17. The computer software program of claim 16, wherein said full level of fogging for said graphics primitive comprises setting color values of said graphics primitive to predetermined fogging color values. 18. The computer software program of claim 10, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises an average of one or more constant fogging color values and said graphics primitive's color values. 19. A computer graphics system comprising:an input port configured to for receive a set of 3D graphics data;a graphics processor configured to render a plurality of pixels, wherein said graphics processor is configured to calculate a radial distance of each respective pixel from a viewpoint, wherein said graphics processor is further configured to apply a variable amount of fogging to said each respective pixel, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance; anda buffer configured to store said plurality of pixels, wherein the buffer is configured to output said plurality of pixels to refresh a display device;wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 20. The computer graphics system of claim 19, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said pixels. 21. The computer graphics system of claim 19, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said pixels when the radial distance of said pixels is less than a first distance;a first variable amount of fogging for said pixels according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said pixels is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance;a second variable amount of fogging for said pixels according to a second mathematical function when the radial distance of said pixels is greater than said second distance. 22. The computer graphics system of claim 19, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said pixels when the radial distance of said pixels is less than a first distance;a variable amount of fogging for said pixels according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said pixels is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance;a full level of fogging for said pixels when the radial distance of said pixels is greater than said second distance. 23. The computer graphics system of claim 21, wherein said full level of fogging for said pixels comprises setting color values of said pixels to predetermined fogging color values. 24. The computer graphics system of claim 19, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises an average of one or more constant fogging color values with said pixels' color values. 25. The computer graphics system of claim 19, further comprising said display device and a keyboard. 26. The computer graphics system of claim 19, further comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute an operating system; and a main system memory coupled to said CPU. 27. The computer graphics system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of display devices. 28. The computer graphics system of claim 27, wherein said radial distance of said plurality of samples is the same for all of said plurality of display devices. 29. A computer graphics system comprising:means for receiving a set of 3D graphics data;a processor configured to render a plurality of samples from said set of 3D graphics data, wherein said processor is configured to calculate a radial distance of each respective sample from a viewpoint, wherein said processor is further configured to apply a variable amount of fogging to color components of said each respective sample, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance;a sample buffer configured to store said plurality of samples, wherein said sample buffer is configured to store said color components of said plurality of samples in a double buffered fashion; anda sample-to-pixel calculation unit, wherein said sample-to-pixel calculation unit is configured to select and filter said plurality of samples to generate a plurality of output pixels to refresh a display device. 30. The computer graphics system of claim 29, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises adjusting color values of said samples. 31. The computer graphics system of claim 29,wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 32. The computer graphics system of claim 29,wherein the radial distance is calculated substantially according the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +y 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint,wherein y is the vertical distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 33. The computer graphics system of claim 29, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said samples when the radial distance of said samples is less than a first distance;a first variable amount of fogging for said samples according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said samples is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance; anda second variable amount of fogging for said samples according to a second mathematical function when the radial distance of said samples is greater than said second distance. 34. The computer graphics system of claim 29, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises:no fogging for said samples when the radial distance of said samples is less than a first distance;a variable amount of fogging for sai d samples according to a first mathematical function when the radial distance of said samples is greater than said first distance and less than a second distance;a full level of fogging for said samples when the radial distance of said samples is greater than said second distance. 35. The computer graphics system of claim 34, wherein said full level of fogging for said samples comprises setting color values of said samples to predetermined fogging color values. 36. The computer graphics system of claim 29, wherein said variable amount of fogging comprises an average of one or more constant fogging color values with said samples' color values. 37. The computer graphics system of claim 29, further comprising said display device and a keyboard. 38. The computer graphics system of claim 29, further comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute an operating system; and a main system memory coupled to said CPU. 39. The computer graphics system of claim 29, further comprising a plurality of display devices. 40. The computer graphics system of claim 39, wherein said radial distance of said plurality of pixels is the same for all of said plurality of display devices. 41. A method for rendering an image based on a set of three dimensional (3D) graphics data comprising a plurality of graphics primitives, wherein the method comprises:receiving one of said graphics primitives from said set of 3D graphics data;calculating a radial distance from a viewpoint to said graphics primitive; andinserting a variable amount of fogging between said graphics primitive and said viewpoint, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance;wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 42. A method for rendering an image based on a set of three dimensional (3D) graphics data comprising a plurality of graphics primitives, wherein the method comprises:receiving one of said graphics primitives;applying a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive on a per vertex basis, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of radial distance with respect a viewpoint;generating samples for sample positions falling within the graphics primitive;filtering said samples to generate video pixels for display on a display device. 43. A computer graphics system comprising:means for receiving a set of 3D graphics data;a processor configured to render a plurality of samples from said set of 3D graphics data, wherein said processor is configured to calculate a radial distance of each respective sample from a viewpoint, wherein said processor is further configured to apply a variable amount of fogging to said each respective sample, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance;a sample buffer configured to store said plurality of samples; anda sample-to-pixel calculation unit, wherein said sample-to-pixel calculation unit is configured to select and filter said plurality of samples to generate a plurality of output pixels to refresh a display device;wherein said radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x 2 +z 2 )},wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, andwherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 44. A computer graphics system comprising:a processor configured to (a) apply a variable amount of fog to a graphics primitive on a per vertex basis, wherein said variable fog amount is a function of radial distance with respect a viewpoint, (b) generate samples for sample positions falling within the graphics primitive;a sample buffer configured to store the generated samples;a sample-to-pixel calcula tion unit configured to read and filter the samples from the sample buffer to generate video pixels. 45. A method for rendering an image based on a set of three dimensional (3D) graphics data comprising a plurality of graphics primitives, wherein the method comprises:receiving one of said graphics primitives from said set of 3D graphics data; calculating a radial distance from a viewpoint to said graphics primitive; and applying a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance; wherein the radial distance is calculated substantially according to the mathematical formula {square root over (x.sup.2+y.sup.2+z.sup.2)}, wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, wherein y is the vertical distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, and wherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 46. A computer software program embodied on a computer-readable medium, the computer software program comprising a plurality of instructions, wherein the instructions are configured to: read a set of 3D graphics data, wherein said set of 3D graphics data comprises a plurality of graphics primitives; calculate a radial distance from a viewpoint to one of said graphics primitives; apply a variable amount of fogging to said graphics primitive, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance; and generate a set of output pixels in response to said 3D graphics data, wherein said set of output pixels is displayable to form an image on a display device; wherein the radial distance is calculated substantially according the mathematical formula {square root over (x.sup.2+y.sup.2+z.sup.2)}, wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, wherein y is the vertical distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, and wherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint. 47. A computer graphics system comprising: an input port configured to for receive a set of 3D graphics data; a graphics processor configured to render a plurality of pixels, wherein said graphics processor is configured to calculate a radial distance of each respective pixel from a viewpoint, wherein said graphics processor is further configured to apply a variable amount of fogging to said each respective pixel, wherein said variable amount of fogging is a function of said radial distance; and a buffer configured to store said plurality of pixels, wherein the buffer is configured to output said plurality of pixels to refresh a display device; wherein the radial distance is calculated substantially according the mathematical formula {square root over (x.sup.2+y.sup.2+z.sup.2)}, wherein x is the horizontal distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, wherein y is the vertical distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint, and wherein z is the depth distance from said graphics primitive to said viewpoint.