Geospecific Displacement Maps for Real Time, Stereoscopic Training Simulation Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-116 Topic Title: Geospecific Displacement Maps for Real Time, Stereoscopic Training Simulation Proposal No.: N102-116-1059 Firm: Diamond Visionics LLC 400 Plaza Drive, Suite-A Vestal, New York 13850 Contact: Gregory Amend Phone: (607) 729-8526 Web Site: www.diamondvisionics.com Abstract: Displacement mapping is a rendering technique which allows small details, represented as height displacements (often in the form of a texture map), to be applied to a polygonal mesh. The objective of the proposed effort is to develop an innovative automated process that unlocks the advantages of real-time displacement maps (and related technologies), combined with geo-specific two and three dimensional source imagery, for providing highly-complex terrain surface regions in virtual environments for real-time training simulators. In Phase I, we will work to develop an innovative approach to incorporating displacement mapping and related techniques into a real-time visual system. The goal of this approach will be to provide an automated capability, requiring little or no manual database generation effort. A procedure for generating the displacement map from mono and stereo imagery will be developed. Existing published research in these areas will be leveraged, but with a specific focus on techniques that can be performed "on-the-fly", in real-time. Challenges which will be addressed in Phase I include any impediments to a complete end-to-end solution, sensor simulation issues, patch insertion issues, occulted data hole issues, multiple source data issues, modeler time and skill issues, as well as compatibility issues with other simulation systems. Benefits: In visual simulation, realism and performance are the primary benchmarks by which a given solution is evaluated. These two objectives are often at odds with one another, as increased realism often results in decreased performance. The advent of modern GPU's allows for the possibility of both greater realism and enhanced performance. However, as fidelity expectations rise and the quantity of data to be visualized increases, traditional approaches to visual simulation do not scale well to either objective. To date, this has prevented the adoption of techniques such as displacement mapping in visual simulation. The ability to rapidly generate and utilize displacement maps will provide significant advantages over traditional approaches for terrain feature rendering. The resulting enhanced fidelity will increase the value of simulation training for the war-fighter. As described in the following sections, the application of displacement mapping techniques will result in a more realistic visualization without requiring off-line processing of the source data. This will allow the technology to be utilized in commercial and military training simulation, as well as rapid-response mission planning and rehearsal. Return