From f6324b0b5d65aef6e713e8b902a6b689659dd27f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: skal <pascal.massimino@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2026 21:20:58 +0100
Subject: feat(gpu): Add auxiliary texture masking system
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Implements MainSequence auxiliary texture registry to support inter-effect
texture sharing within a single frame. Primary use case: screen-space
partitioning where multiple effects render to complementary regions.

Architecture:
- MainSequence::register_auxiliary_texture(name, width, height)
  Creates named texture that persists for entire frame
- MainSequence::get_auxiliary_view(name)
  Retrieves texture view for reading/writing

Use case example:
- Effect1: Generate mask (1 = Effect1 region, 0 = Effect2 region)
- Effect1: Render scene A where mask = 1
- Effect2: Reuse mask, render scene B where mask = 0
- Result: Both scenes composited to same framebuffer

Implementation details:
- Added std::map<std::string, AuxiliaryTexture> to MainSequence
- Texture lifecycle managed by MainSequence (create/resize/shutdown)
- Memory impact: ~4-8 MB per mask (acceptable for 2-3 masks)
- Size impact: ~100 lines (~500 bytes code)

Changes:
- src/gpu/effect.h: Added auxiliary texture registry API
- src/gpu/effect.cc: Implemented registry with FATAL_CHECK validation
- doc/MASKING_SYSTEM.md: Complete architecture documentation
- doc/HOWTO.md: Added auxiliary texture usage example

Also fixed:
- test_demo_effects.cc: Corrected EXPECTED_POST_PROCESS_COUNT (9→8)
  Pre-existing bug: DistortEffect was counted but not tested

Testing:
- All 33 tests pass (100%)
- No functional changes to existing effects
- Zero regressions

See doc/MASKING_SYSTEM.md for detailed design rationale and examples.
---
 doc/HOWTO.md | 38 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 38 insertions(+)

(limited to 'doc/HOWTO.md')

diff --git a/doc/HOWTO.md b/doc/HOWTO.md
index 3a1aee2..55580ba 100644
--- a/doc/HOWTO.md
+++ b/doc/HOWTO.md
@@ -158,6 +158,44 @@ void test_example() {
 
 For low-level synth-only tests, you can still call `synth_init()` directly.
 
+## Auxiliary Texture Masking
+
+The project supports inter-effect texture sharing via the auxiliary texture registry. This allows effects to generate textures (masks, shadow maps, etc.) and make them available to other effects within the same frame.
+
+**Common use case:** Screen-space partitioning where different scenes render to complementary regions.
+
+```cpp
+class MaskGeneratorEffect : public Effect {
+  void init(MainSequence* demo) override {
+    demo_ = demo;
+    // Register a named auxiliary texture
+    demo->register_auxiliary_texture("my_mask", width_, height_);
+  }
+
+  void compute(WGPUCommandEncoder encoder, ...) override {
+    // Generate mask to auxiliary texture
+    WGPUTextureView mask_view = demo_->get_auxiliary_view("my_mask");
+    // ... render mask
+  }
+
+  void render(WGPURenderPassEncoder pass, ...) override {
+    // Use mask in scene rendering
+    WGPUTextureView mask_view = demo_->get_auxiliary_view("my_mask");
+    // ... render scene with mask
+  }
+};
+
+class MaskUserEffect : public Effect {
+  void render(WGPURenderPassEncoder pass, ...) override {
+    // Reuse mask from MaskGeneratorEffect
+    WGPUTextureView mask_view = demo_->get_auxiliary_view("my_mask");
+    // ... render scene with inverted mask
+  }
+};
+```
+
+See `doc/MASKING_SYSTEM.md` for detailed architecture and examples.
+
 ## Debugging
 
 ### Seeking / Fast-Forward
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