Creation and control of real-time continuous level of detail on programmable graphics hardware

Abstract

Continuity in level of detail sequences is essential in hiding visual artefacts that occur when switching between discrete levels of detail. However, construction and implementation of these sequences is prohibitively complex. We present a new structure, the g-mesh, which greatly simplifies the implementation of continuous level of detail in large scenes. We also introduce a novel greedy predictive level of detail control system suited to the g-mesh. Finally we achieve a dramatic improvement in the rendering of morphing sequences by exploiting current graphics hardware.