Forward Rasterization

We describe forward rasterization, a class of rendering algorithms designed for small polygonal primitives. The primitive is efficiently rasterized by interpolation between its vertices. The interpolation factors are chosen to guarantee that each pixel covered by the primitive receives at least one sample which avoids holes. The location of the samples is recorded with subpixel accuracy using a pair of offsets which are then used to reconstruct/resample the output image. Offset reconstruction has good static and temporal antialiasing properties. We present two forward rasterization algorithms, one that renders quadrilaterals and is suitable for scenes modeled with depth images like in image-based rendering by 3D warping, and one that renders triangles and is suitable for scenes modeled conventionally. When compared to conventional rasterization, forward rasterization is more efficient for small primitives and has better temporal antialiasing properties.

Voicu Popescu, and Paul Rosen. Forward Rasterization. ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), 2006.

@article{popescu2006forward,
  title = {Forward Rasterization},
  author = {Popescu, Voicu and Rosen, Paul},
  journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)},
  volume = {25},
  pages = {375--411},
  year = {2006},
  keywords = {3D warping, antialiasing, point-based modeling and rendering, rasterization,
rendering pipeline},
  abstract = {We describe forward rasterization, a class of rendering algorithms designed
    for small polygonal primitives. The primitive is efficiently rasterized by interpolation
    between its vertices. The interpolation factors are chosen to guarantee that each pixel
    covered by the primitive receives at least one sample which avoids holes. The location
    of the samples is recorded with subpixel accuracy using a pair of offsets which are then
    used to reconstruct/resample the output image. Offset reconstruction has good static and
    temporal antialiasing properties. We present two forward rasterization algorithms, one
    that renders quadrilaterals and is suitable for scenes modeled with depth images like in
    image-based rendering by 3D warping, and one that renders triangles and is suitable for
    scenes modeled conventionally. When compared to conventional rasterization, forward
    rasterization is more efficient for small primitives and has better temporal
    antialiasing properties.}
}