Efficient algorithms for embedded rendering of terrain models

Digital terrains are generally large files and need to be simplified to be rendered efficiently. We propose to build an adaptive embedded triangulation based on a binary tree structure to generate multiple levels of details. We present a O(nlogn) decimation algorithm and a O(nlogn) refinement algorithm, where n is the number of elevation points. We compare them in a rate-distortion (RD) framework. The algorithms are based on an improved version of the optimal tree pruning algorithm G-BFOS allowing one to deal with constrained tree structures and non-monotonic tree functionals.