Abstract: A computer-based thermal scene simulation system and method for generating synthetic images to facilitate the design and test of missile-borne electro-optical seeker systems. A scene is comprised of objects and a background selected from available target and background database files. Stationary or mobile objects are modeled by combining small planar facets to cover their three dimensional surface. Each facet is associated in the database files with the thermal and optical properties of the surface that is modeled. The background is modeled on the interior surface of a pyramid defining the extent of the scene, with the floor of the pyramid representing the surface of the earth and the sides of the pyramid representing an above horizon image. The pyramid surface is then divided into triangular facets that represent portions of the surface. Each facet is assigned a uniform texture selected from the background database files comprising background materials.