Terrain Amplification using Multi-scale Erosion

Siggraph 2024 - Technical Papers

Authors
Hugo Schott (1), Eric Galin (2), Eric Guérin (1), Adrien Peytavie (2), Axel Paris (3)
(1) INSA Lyon, CNRS, LIRIS
(2) Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LIRIS
(3) Adobe

Abstract
Modeling high-resolution terrains is a perennial challenge in the creation
of virtual worlds. In this paper, we focus on the amplification of a lowresolution input terrain into a high-resolution, hydrologically consistent terrain featuring complex patterns by a multi-scale approach. Our framework combines the best of both worlds, relying on physics-inspired erosion models producing consistent erosion landmarks and introducing control at different scales, thus bridging the gap between physics-based erosion simulations and multi-scale procedural modeling. The method relies on a fast and accurate approximation of different simulations, including thermal, stream power erosion and deposition performed at different scales to obtain a range of effects. Our approach provides landscape designers with tools for amplifying mountain ranges and valleys with consistent details.