Algorithms for Run-Time Terrain Deformation

In recent years, the volume and accuracy of data available for use in synthetic environments has increased exponentially. Current tools and techniques for utilizing this data have not evolved at the same pace, however. Traditional approaches to database modeling still require a significant amount of manual effort. Although it is a seemingly simple and necessary task, currently available tools do not support making small changes at run-time to the topography to correlate with feature data. Furthermore, as new and better data becomes available, re-incorporating this data with existing tools is cumbersome and costly, often requiring large portions of a database to be regenerated. In cases where sensor databases are also required, the cost of regenerating correlated sensor-encoded databases must also be considered. Finally, traditional tools and techniques for database development do not scale with hardware advancements. As new hardware capabilities rapidly become available, databases must be regenerated to incorporate additional content in order to take advantage of these advancements. Diamond Visionics will provide useful solutions to address the challenges stated above based on our extensive background in the instant construction and deformation of databases for visual simulation. In Phase I, Diamond Visionics will develop a proof-of-concept PC-based IG capable of automatically adjusting topography to correlate with feature data where provided. This system will greatly reduce the amount of effort required to update the visual database as additional and improved data becomes available