Volumetric Textures

Abstract

There are some types of nature elements that are adequately represented in Computer Graphics only through volumes. In order to visualize scenes with volumes, together with geometrical objects, it is necessary to make use of a hybrid rendering algorithm. However, the presence of volumetric elements heavily increases the visualization processing time, independently of the technique being used. This article presents a method that is being developed in order to reduce the volumetric rendering to a projection of a special texture on a geometric surface that surrounds the volume. This technique seems to be particularly efficient to volumes that represent nature elements, such as gases, clouds and smoke. It is possible, however, to extend the method to other types of volumetric objects.