Rendering of landscapes for environmental assessment

These days, computer graphics are playing an important role in giving lifel ike information for the estimation of landscapes after finishing large-scal e construction projects. However, how to create vivid photo-realistic image s based on exact geometry and optical phenomena is still an essential issue . The authors introduce rendering techniques for visual environmental landsca pe assessment using computer graphics and/or video sequence images. The tec hniques are classified into three categories: computer generated images and montages for visualizing landscapes with photo-realistic rendering techniq ues, panoramic images and panoramic montages employing image-based renderin g techniques made from video sequence images, and panned/zoomed video seque nce images composited with computer generated images. The basic techniques and their validity are discussed by using practical ex amples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.