Artificial planets with fractal feature specification
We describe the generation of artificial planets using a regular polyhedron as an initial mesh. The specification of arbitrary terrain features based on a quaternary triangular mesh in conjunction with fractal subdivision helps generate a potentially infinite variety of planets with 3D terrain and optional ocean surfaces. A method for invariant point identification overcomes the problem of internal consistency. Only polygons within a clipping window are subdivided and rendered, which controls the growth in the number of polygons as resolution increases and the surface is approached. The extension to a WWW-based collaborative planetary generation system for virtual worlds is also prototyped.
fractals quaternary triangular mesh artificial terrain planetary modelling flight simulation