Abstract: A system and method for generating a realistic visual representation of forecast weather conditions. A “future time-lapse” video image of weather conditions effecting a given area may be generated automatically from a meteorologist's weather forecast. The resulting presentation may include a photo-realistic terrain background, an image of a landmark, such as a cityscape familiar to users, realistic three-dimensional cloud images, as well as informative textual and/or graphical overlays. Realistic fractal cloud images may be generated in an efficient manner by combining a plurality of slices taken through a spherical solid fractal texture to create three-dimensional cloud images.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2007
Assignee:
ScapeWare3d, LLC
Inventors:
Thomas S. Scaman, Mark Quadling, Henley Quadling