Nonphotorealistic Rendering by Q-mapping

Abstract

We present Q-mapping which is a technique for rendering three-dimensional objects using nonphotorealistic cues, by applying Q-maps. Q-maps are three-dimensional textures that make marks on objects, and thus provide visual cues for shape, shade, and texture. Q-maps adapt to light intensity, typically by making more marks in darker areas. Q-maps can produce images with a very wide range of visual styles (e.g. half tone shading, and pen-and-ink colour wash). The primary contribution is that these styles reside in a single parametric space. Importantly this space includes photorealism as a style, which is therefore regarded as a special case of nonphotorealistic image rendering in general. We illustrate our explanation of Q-mapping using examples from scientific visualisation and computer graphics - and provide a gallery of images to show the versatility of the approach.