Gradient-Related Non-Photorealistic Rendering for High Dynamic Range Images

A non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) method based on elements, usually strokes, is proposed for rendering high dynamic range (HDR) images to mimic the visual perception of human artists and designers. It enables strokes generated in the rendering process to be placed accurately on account of improvements in computing gradient values especially in regions having particularly high or low luminance. Experimental results using a designed pattern show that angles of gradient values obtained from HDR images have a reduction in averaged error of up to 57.5% in comparison to that of conventional digital images. A partial experiment on incorporating HDR images into other NPR styles, such as dithering, shows the wide compatibility of HDR images in providing source information for NPR processes.