Z-buffer

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | 582 words | Copyright

Z-buffer (depth buffer) A method for hidden-surface removal. For each object in a scene, pixels are generated with color and depth information. The Z-buffer is an array that stores the current Z-depth of each pixel. As objects are sent to the Z-buffer only those nearest the viewer are retained. Each pixel is set to the new light intensity only if the depth of the point is less than the value stored at the corresponding position in the Z-buffer. The method is simple but costly in processing and storage, hence hardware or low-level implementations are common. See also A-buffer.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN DAINTITH. "Z-buffer." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "Z-buffer." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-Zbuffer.html

JOHN DAINTITH. "Z-buffer." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-Zbuffer.html

Learn more about citation styles