An efficient algorithm for real-time 3D terrain walkthrough

Abstract

The paper presents an efficient and easy to implement algorithm based on ROAM for visualization of large scale terrain models in real-time. The quality and smoothness of terrain data visualization within a 3D interactive environment is preserved, while the complexity of the algorithm is kept on a reasonable level. The main contribution of the paper is in introducing a number of efficient techniques such as implicit coordinates method within the patch array representing ROAM and the viewpoint dependent triangle rendering method for dynamic level of detail (LOD) updates. In addition, experimental comparison of a number of culling techniques, including a newly introduced method, is conducted. These techniques are incorporated in order to achieve more realistic terrain representation and the real-time level of detail reduction. © Springer-Verlag 2003.