Stencil Buffer Techniques

Applications use the stencil buffer to mask pixels in an image. The mask controls whether or not the pixel is drawn. For more information on the stencil buffer, see Stencil Buffers.

Direct3D applications can achieve a wide range of special effects with the stencil buffer. Some of the more common effects are listed here. This list is by no means exhaustive.

• Dissolves, Fades, and Swipes
• Decaling
• Compositing
• Outlines and Silhouettes