A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain

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dc.contributor.advisorMarais, Patricken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLeach, Craigen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-14T19:50:04Z
dc.date.available2014-11-14T19:50:04Z
dc.date.issued2014en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical referencesen_ZA
dc.description.abstractReal-time computer games and simulations often contain large virtual outdoor environments. Terrain forms an important part of these environments. This terrain may consist of various granular materials, such as sand, rubble and rocks. Previous approaches to rendering such terrains rely on simple textured geometry, with little to no support for dynamic interactions. Recently, particle-based granular terrain simulations have emerged as an alternative method for simulating and rendering granular terrain. These systems simulate granular materials by using particles to represent the individual granules, and exhibit realistic, physically correct interactions with dynamic objects. However, they are extremely computationally expensive, and thus may only feasibly be used to simulate small areas of terrain. In order to overcome this limitation, this thesis builds upon a previously created particle-based granular terrain simulation, by integrating it with a heightfield-based terrain system. In this way, we create a level of detail system for simulating large-scale granular terrain. The particle-based terrain system is used to represent areas of terrain around dynamic objects, whereas the height field-based terrain is used elsewhere. This allows large-scale granular terrain to be simulated in real-time, with physically correct dynamic interactions. This is made possible by a novel system, which allows for terrain to be converted from one representation to the other in real-time, while maintaining changes made to the particle-based system in the heightfield-based system. We show that the system is capable of simulating and rendering multiple particle- based simulations across a large-scale terrain, whilst maintaining real-time performance. In one scenario, 10 high-fidelity simulations were run at the same time, whilst maintaining 30 frames per second. However, the number of particles used, and thus the number of particle-based simulations which may be used, is limited by the computational resources of the GPU. Additionally, the particle sizes don't allow for sand to be realistically simulated, as was our original goal. However, other granular materials may still be simulated.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationLeach, C. (2014). <i>A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9623en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationLeach, Craig. <i>"A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9623en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationLeach, C. 2014. A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Leach, Craig AB - Real-time computer games and simulations often contain large virtual outdoor environments. Terrain forms an important part of these environments. This terrain may consist of various granular materials, such as sand, rubble and rocks. Previous approaches to rendering such terrains rely on simple textured geometry, with little to no support for dynamic interactions. Recently, particle-based granular terrain simulations have emerged as an alternative method for simulating and rendering granular terrain. These systems simulate granular materials by using particles to represent the individual granules, and exhibit realistic, physically correct interactions with dynamic objects. However, they are extremely computationally expensive, and thus may only feasibly be used to simulate small areas of terrain. In order to overcome this limitation, this thesis builds upon a previously created particle-based granular terrain simulation, by integrating it with a heightfield-based terrain system. In this way, we create a level of detail system for simulating large-scale granular terrain. The particle-based terrain system is used to represent areas of terrain around dynamic objects, whereas the height field-based terrain is used elsewhere. This allows large-scale granular terrain to be simulated in real-time, with physically correct dynamic interactions. This is made possible by a novel system, which allows for terrain to be converted from one representation to the other in real-time, while maintaining changes made to the particle-based system in the heightfield-based system. We show that the system is capable of simulating and rendering multiple particle- based simulations across a large-scale terrain, whilst maintaining real-time performance. In one scenario, 10 high-fidelity simulations were run at the same time, whilst maintaining 30 frames per second. However, the number of particles used, and thus the number of particle-based simulations which may be used, is limited by the computational resources of the GPU. Additionally, the particle sizes don't allow for sand to be realistically simulated, as was our original goal. However, other granular materials may still be simulated. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2014 T1 - A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain TI - A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9623 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/9623
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationLeach C. A GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrain. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science, 2014 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9623en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Computer Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.titleA GPU-Based level of detail system for the real-time simulation and rendering of large-scale granular terrainen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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