Survey of semi-regular multiresolution models for interactive terrain rendering

Abstract

Rendering high quality digital terrains at interactive rates requires carefully crafted algorithms and data structures able to balance the competing requirements of realism and frame rates, while taking into account the memory and speed limitations of the underlying graphics platform.In this survey, we analyze multi-resolution approaches that exploit a certain semi-regularity of the data. These approaches have produced some of the most efficient systems to date. After providing a short background and motivation for the methods, we focus on illustrating models based on tiled blocks and nested regular grids, quadtrees and triangle bin-trees triangulations, as well as cluster based approaches. We then discuss LOD error metrics and system-level data management aspects of interactive terrain visualization, including dynamic scene management, out-of-core data organization and compression, as well as numerical accuracy.

3D City Models and urban information: Current issues and perspectives

“…drainage and ridge network) that are extracted from the terrain model. As for the generalisation of multi-resolution terrain, Pajarola pointed out that terrain geometry can be easily generalised for smooth view-dependent rendering, as connected triangular irregular networks (TIN) and grid structures can be simplified using many techniques (Pajarola, 2007), for instance, line simplification method applied to terrain (Fei, 2009). …”

All range and heterogeneous multi-scale 3D city models

“…Terrain geometry can be easily generalized for smooth, view-dependent rendering, as connected triangular irregular networks (TIN) and grid structures can be simplified using many techniques [25]. On the other hand, buildings, as salient city objects, draw the most attention of researchers [26,27].…”

Visual assistance tools for interactive visualization of remote sensing data

“…Therefore, hierarchical data structures such as quadtrees are necessary to manage the data and to form the base of a Level of Detail (LOD) method applied during rendering [2].…”