Three-dimensional Fractal Terrain And Implementation

Terrain is one of the most complex objects in the nature. The techniques of generation and visualization for three-dimensional terrain are both important tools for many realms and interesting research field in Computer Graphics.Fractal Geometry has been a new research field in recent years . The Fractal Brownian Motion (FBM) provides effective mathematics model, which has important application in Computer Graphics. The data of terrain features obtained using FBM methods can reflect complex character of the natural.Visualization of three-dimensional fractal terrain involves a lot of knowledge and technique in Computer Graphics, such as shadow transformation, hidden handling, illumination handling, color systemization etc. Suitable method and constitute algorithms for three-dimensional terrain visualization is critical. Then the three-dimensional fractal terrain that displayed will be high scene of reality.In this paper, Fractal Brownian Motion is used to establish the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the three-dimensional fractal terrain. The Digital Elevation Model, in turn, consists the essential data to characterize three-dimensional fractal terrain. In the rendering process, combination of mature technique in Computer Graphics, such as Z-Buffer and phong illumination model, can be used to realize shadow transformation, hidden handling, illumination handling and color systemization. The software for three-dimensional fractal terrain should have good user interactive function.Presently, the fractal based visualization technique for three- dimensional terrain is developing. While some practical methods have already been constructed, their efficiency and usability still need to be improved.