In computer graphics, a sprite (also known by other names;
see Synonyms below) is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated
into a larger scene. Initially including just graphical objects handled
separately from the memory bitmap of a video display, this now includes various
manners of graphical overlays.
Originally, sprites were a method of integrating unrelated
bitmaps so that they appeared to be part of the normal bitmap on a screen, such
as creating an animated character that can be moved on a screen without
altering the data defining the overall screen. Such sprites can be created by
either electronic circuitry or software. In circuitry, a hardware sprite is a
hardware construct that employs custom DMA channels to integrate visual
elements with the main screen in that it super-imposes two discrete video
sources. Software can simulate this through specialized rendering methods.
As three-dimensional graphics became more prevalent, sprites
came to include flat images seamlessly integrated into complicated
three-dimensional scenes.
