Three-Dimensional Fractal Mountains

Abstract

This study provides a guide to a series of systematic techniques used to create fractal mountains. The fractal mountains are created through an Interactive System for Fractal Mountains (ISFM). To create the fractal mountains in ISFM a modified midpoint displacement technique in three dimensions is used. Augmenting the midpoint displacement algorithm is a random number generator that provides randomness in the displacement so as to simulate nature. These two algorithms plus an algorithm for lighting and for shading allow the user to develop different types of fractal mountains. When creating a fractal mountain with ISFM, the user has the options of placing the location of the light source for the time of day, of determining the ruggedness or texture of the mountain and of positioning the outline for a mountain range. ISFM generates a fractal mountain or a fractal mountain range on an IRIS workstation. ISFM provides a systematic and tutorial approach to creating fractal mountains that can be easily repeated by others.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA204366

Entities

People

  • Patricia J. Collins

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Appalachian Mountains
  • Computer Graphics
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Generators
  • Geometry
  • Graphics
  • Light Sources
  • Lists (Data Structures)
  • Materials
  • Mountains
  • Random Number Generators
  • Random Variables
  • Rocky Mountains
  • Surface Properties
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Computer Vision.
  • Seismology
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.