Sprite (Computergrafik)
a Sprite is a diagram object, that from the diagram hardware over the background picture and/or. remaining contents of the screen display one fades in. The positioning is settled thereby completely by the diagram hardware. Example: Most diagram maps make available a hardware Sprite for the pointer of mouse .
Today the Sprite technology is to a large extent outdated by the possibilities of modern diagram maps.
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related terms
is often used the term Sprite also generalized for objects, which are faded in by software (instead of diagram hardware) over the background. This is however strictly taken a Shape. Same applies to be administered to an object, which is in-copied by hardware routines into the diagram memory, without however completely autonomously by the hardware; here it concerns a Bob. In 3D - Sometimes plays the term Sprite is used for flat of objects with an animated texture; the similarity for classical definition consists of the fact that the object likewise not together with the remaining picture content (here: three-dimensional) one produces, but only „“becomes in-adhesive.
function mode
the Sprite is inserted by the diagram hardware (diagram processor) at the desired position in the picture. Because by it the remaining picture in the diagram memory is not affected, this does not have to be copied always again again there - by this discharge of the main processor are simple Sprites very fast and at the same time to program. For the movement of a Sprites it is sufficient to only change its x/y coordinate; the complicated computation of the address in the diagram memory is void, which likewise relieves the main processor. The diagram processor inserts independently at the given coordinate the Sprite with the structure of the next picture in the foreground. Sprites also animated is possible; in addition only the data of the Sprite diagram in the memory must be replaced by those of the next frame.
A Sprite is rectangular in principle. In addition, irregularly formed Sprites is possible, as the edge transparency is represented - either by a certain color, which of the diagram processor transparency is represented, or by a mask, which defines, in which places the Sprite is to be represented covering and to which it transparency.
meaning for computer games
arising Sprites in the 80's revolutionized the possibilities of computer games, since the processor achievement was not sufficient at that time, in order complex diagram data on the screen to shift (see also home computer, z. B. C64, Amiga). The Sprites was replaced by Bobs (Amiga) and Shapes (C16 , C128).
A further improvement for computer games was the Sprite Sprite Kollisionserkennung. As soon as the diagram processor recognizes with providing the picture the fact that two Sprites overlap themselves is communicated this to the software by interrupts , flag or Event. Thus are comparatively simple most computer games to program, because the program does not have to worry about the Kollisionserkennung and for this no arithmetic performance used up. A reasonable Kollisionserkennung is however in almost all diagram processors present, whatever Bobs or Sprites controls.
