Algorithms for Run-Time Terrain Deformation

Traditionally, the terrain surface has been accepted as "truth" and features have been forced to conform to the terrain surface. The features are changed in elevation to conform to the surface. However, the locations of key features related to targeting may be known with greater accuracy than the underlying terrain surface. Target data may be time-critical so that the off-line processing is unacceptably time consuming. In this study, the objective is to identify and demonstrate real time algorithms that meet the constraints of (a) adjusting the terrain surface to meet the specified features, (b) appearing smooth and continuous so that the adjustments appear natural, (c) not distorting aspects of the database that must be preserved, and (d) accommodate adding terrain as in becomes viewable without changing terrain currently in view. A protoype algorithm is discussed, and an open source implementation is proposed.