The definition and rendering of terrain maps
Gavin Miller · ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics · 1986
This paper examines three methods, two existing and one new, for the generation of fractals based on recursive subdivision. Both existing methods are found to have defects, which are not present in the new method. A parallel processing algorithm is proposed for the rendering of height fields which is exact and distributes the load evenly between the processors. A method is described for the 'fan-tracing' of height fields to allow the realistic simulation of water reflections.