However realism comes with the price of a large number of polygons to render, pushing further the requirements of processing power. Conse quently, the visualisation and interaction with such models is prohibi tive even with high-end workstations when multiple instances of the object are present.
Many methods for reducing the complexity of these objects have been created, and several contributions have been introduced that have helped identify and improve today's definition of `ideal' properties of a Level of Detail(LOD) system. Unfortunately, low level of detail approximations of current LOD systems, do not always represent faith fully the distinct features of an object, allowing for several undesirable and potentially hazardous consequences.
This talk, gives an introduction to LOD, reveals application areas, high lights the importance and purpose of good low level of detail represen tations. A novel bottom-up approach is outlined, and some encountered problems are discussed.
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