Automatically reducing and bounding geometric complexity by using images
Daniel G. Aliaga, Anselmo Lastra · 1999
Large and complex 3D models are required for computer-aided design, architectural visualizations, flight simulation, and many types of virtual environments. Often, it is not possible to render all the geometry of these complex scenes at interactive rates, even with high-end computer graphics systems. This has led to extensive work in 3D model simplification methods. We have been investigating dynamically replacing portions of 3D models with images. This approach is similar to the old stage trick of draping cloth backgrounds in order to generate the illusion of presence in a scene too complex to actually construct on stage. An image (or backdrop) once created, can be rendered in time independent of the geometric complexity it represents. Consequently, significant frame rate increases can be achieved at