pervertexattribut

Per vertex attribute is a concept in 3D computer graphics that refers to a set of data stored with each vertex of a model. Vertices are the basic geometric elements of a 3D model, and can represent corners, edges, or points in a polygon.

During the rendering process, per vertex attributes define properties of each vertex in a model. These properties can include color, texture coordinates, or normal vectors, which are used to calculate the appearance of a rendered image. By storing attribute data per vertex, graphics rendering systems can perform various calculations and tests on each vertex individually, which helps to create more realistic and detailed graphics.

There are several types of per vertex attributes, such as intensity, matte, emissiveness, and custom user-defined attributes. The choice of attributes depends on the application and the desired visual effects. For instance, per vertex color allows for diverse textures and surface effects, while normal vectors help determine how light interacts with the model.

Per vertex attributes are particularly useful in situations where complex rendering techniques, like dynamic diffuse surface shading and normal mapping, are used. The data associated with per vertex attributes can be sourced from various sources, including animation data, mesh data, or even procedural algorithms.

Additionally, per vertex attributes are often used in conjunction with texture coordinates, allowing the rendering system to access an arbitrary number of texture maps per vertex. The attribute data can be updated in real time, permitting dynamic, changing appearances of 3D models throughout a scene or animation sequence.