View Full Version : whats a fragment?

05-25-2004, 08:11 AM
could somone give me a definitive answer to this :confused:


05-25-2004, 08:39 AM
A fragment is what's produced during the rasterization process. It's a potential pixel in the frame buffer -- if passes subsequent tests (e.g. depth, stencil, etc.).

Note, rasterization is the process of converting a primitive (e.g. line, polygon, etc.) into smaller units similar to pixels in the frame buffer.

05-25-2004, 09:01 AM
I always liked to call fragments "pixels in training." I've also heard "pixel padawan" which made me chuckle because I'm such a fing nerd.

A fragment is the result of rasterization that is then subjected to the gauntlet of fragment tests, such as the scissor test, stencil test, depth test... and if it passes, then it graduates to become a pixel.