Three-dimensional fractal mountains

• Main Author: Collins, Patricia Jacqueline
• Other Authors: Zyda, Michael J.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/23427

This study provides a guide to a series of systematic techniques used to create fractal mountains. The fractal mountains are created through an Interactive System for Fractal Mountains (ISFM) . To create the fractal mountains in ISFM a modified midpoint displacement technique in three dimensions is used. Augmenting the midpoint displacement algorithm is a random number generator that provides randomness in the displacement so as to simulate nature. These two algorithms plus an algorithm for lighting and for shading allow the user to develop different types of fractal mountains. When creating a fractal mountain with ISFM, the user has the options of placing the location of the light source for the time of day, of determining the ruggedness or texture of the mountain and of positioning the outline for a mountain range. ISFM generates a fractal mountain or a fractal mountain range on an IRIS workstation. ISFM provides a systematic and tutorial approach to creating fractal mountains that can be easily repeated by others.