Computer graphics for animation by time-sequenced textures

Claim 1

A computer graphics system for generating a graphics animation image defined by a line of sight from a viewpoint, comprising: an image data processor and control apparatus to specify image data for a display of a subject with animate characteristics; a geometric environmental data memory for storing three-dimensional geometric data for said display as in the form of multiple primitives, said three dimensional geometric data representative of at least one three-dimensional object being substantially transparent and positionable in various orientation and locations relative to said viewpoint, said object defined by a plurality of planes extending radially in three dimensions from a central axis, said object being rotatable about said central axis to enable surfaces of said planes to be alternately observable from said viewpoint; a texture data memory for storing two-dimensional figure texture data for said display, texture map data representative of a plurality of varying static images of said subject; and an image rendering pipeline coupled to receive said three-dimensional geometric data and said two-dimensional figure texture data under control of said processor and control apparatus to map said texture map data as texture onto said surfaces of said transparent object for providing a dynamic animated display of said subject in animation with said animate characteristics by time sequencing said figure texture data in combination with said geometric data and rotating said transparent object about said central axis.