Large Area High Resolution Geotypical Terrain Decoration
(Room S320F)
29 Nov 17
10:30 AM
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11:00 AM
Complex and large area training scenarios place very challenging requirements on the training and simulation synthetic environment. Terrain texture resolutions are commonly required at 50 centimeters and higher. Correlated 3D feature placement is also a common expectation in today’s scenarios. In addition, time-of-day and seasonal variations are also necessary. Often a correlated sensor classification is also required. While high-resolution geospecific aerial-imagery and associated 3D feature-model databases are routinely constructed for given areas of interest, covering the globe or large areas with such data is prohibitively expensive. This paper will explore a method for procedurally synthesizing both high-resolution terrain textures and correlated 3D feature-models over the entire globe while minimizing objectionable repetition patterns.
The set of procedures, algorithms, data structures, and memory-management mechanisms for both off-line preprocessing and run-time processing will be discussed. The set of source data to create the library of generic 2D and correlated 3D feature models will also be explored. Using regions around the globe will allow variety and more geospecific look in the generic textures and 3D feature-models incorporated in the Whole Earth rendering. By using these algorithms with the library of data they can self-repeat for a continuous tiling effect, but are sufficiently large so that even at high training altitudes, very little repetition is discernable. Thus large areas of high resolution terrain with correlated 3D feature placement can be achieved at a relatively low cost. Lastly, this paper will present a mechanism on how to integrate custom geo-specific imagery and geo-specific 3D feature models within the Whole Earth procedural rendering.