CHArt CHArt Computers and the History of Art - 1999 Conference Paper Abstract
Woodlands and copses form an important visual component of the landscape, but their natural complexity and irregularity cannot easily be simulated using traditional three-dimensional computer visualisation techniques.
This paper describes a new technique for simulating woodland scenes, that conceptually takes an impressionistic approach to modelling trees. By concentrating on the overall form, colour, texture and shading of the tree crown, we have been able to simulate the natural- look of a tree with a minimum level of detail. The tree model is generated using procedural and random methods, this enables a library of tree models corresponding to differing species and ages, to be easily created by simply varying the value of a few descriptive parameters.
However, because each tree model is a true three-dimensional object, it can react accurately to other objects, changes in lighting conditions, be viewed from any angle and individually manipulated. Algorithms for the automatic placement of trees that simulate the irregular but also distinctively profiled massing of a woodland or tree scene are described. This technique also allows the mixing of species at different densities and applied linearly to form hedgerows.
The visualisation of wooded landscapes has many applications, by providing a clearer understanding of both the historic build-up and future potential of a landscape. The simulation of an historic landscape is included.