1. A method for using a graphics processing unit (GPU) to cull an object database, comprising: (a) encoding per-object parameters in texture format thereby creating at least one per-object texture containing said encoded per-object parameters; (b) encoding a culling parameter; (c) optionally updating a fragment program on the GPU, said fragment program embodying a culling operation; (d) rendering a polygon, wherein said rendering includes per-fragment operations; and (e) during said per-fragment operations, executing said optionally updated fragment program, wherein the culling operation embodied therein (i) accesses said culling parameter, (ii) samples said per-object texture, and (iii) produces cull results for a set of database objects, whereby said produced cull results will eliminate or reduce further processing of invisible, occluded, or distant objects.