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Compression
Processing an image or animation to reduce the amount of data
needed to store it digitally. Although it mostly reduces the
amount of redundant information, it usually includes some
degradation of quality.
Culling
The objects of surfaces that are hidden by other objects are
not processed, either.
Depth Cueing
Changes the color and hue of an object in accordance with the
object's distance from the viewer. Most realistic effects are
obtained when using an exponential curve to determine the
color and hue.
Direct3D
Microsoft's API for 3D graphics. One of the components of
DirectX. Supported by all gaming-oriented 3D accelerators so
far.
DirectX
A set of APIs developed by Microsoft. DirectX is made of
several components, each of which can be used to access
different hardware devices. The members of this family
include:
•
Direct Draw for enhanced 2-D graphics services.
•
Direct3D for enhanced 3-D graphics services.
•
Direct Sound for enhanced sound-mixing and playback
services.
•
Direct Play for enhanced multiplayer game connectivity
over the Internet.
•
Direct Input for enhanced joystick and other input device
performance.
•
DirectX is a low-level API designed specially for high-
performance applications such as games. It is a thin layer
providing direct access to hardware services (hence the
