Abstract: A method for building a graphics database includes generating a polygonal representation of a terrain surface and generating at least one polygonal feature corresponding to a feature associated with the terrain surface. The method also includes inserting the at least one polygonal feature into the polygonal representation of the terrain surface and rendering the polygonal representation into at least one image. In addition, the method includes capturing at least one pixel representation of the at least one rendered image and storing the at least one pixel representation as at least one texture.

Abstract: A database generated off-line containing high-resolution models incorporated into source imagery. The method and apparatus builds a data intensive scene representation and renders it off-line, captures an orthographic projection of the rendered scene and stores it as a pixel representation of the rendered imagery and models. The pixel representation is stored in a database for rendering in real time. The resulting database can be rendered more efficiently in real time than databases built using previously known techniques. The database provides improved resolution and improved rendering performance. Resolution is enhanced by generating and placing images of higher-resolution models onto lower-resolution models. Performance is enhanced by reducing the number of polygons that must be rendered in real time to represent a scene. The method and apparatus provides an orthographic rendering of a scene wherein images of high-resolution models (SPLOT models) have been inserted into lower-resolution source imagery.