VARIANT - Processing and Visualizing Terrains at Variable Resolution

L. De Floriani, P. Magillo, E. Puppo

Abstract

We describe VARIANT (VAriable Resolution Interactive ANalysis of Terrains), a new prototype system for processing and visualizing terrains at variable resolution, which is based on a multiresolution terrain model called a Multi-Triangulation (MT). The system architecture is based on a kernel, the MT-manager, which provides access primitives for modifying and querying an MT. MT-clients are application programs that manipulate the model based on such primitives. A special client is the MT-builder, which is used off-line to produce an MT starting from raw data. Some examples of MT-clients that have interest in GIS, and require variable resolution are discussed: perspective visualization and flight simulation, visibility, drainage networks, windowing, local surface estimation.