Leveltähestruktuur

Leveltähestruktuur, often translated as "level-of-detail" or "LOD," is a rendering technique used in computer graphics to improve performance. The core idea is to display a simpler version of a model when it is far away from the viewer and a more detailed version when it is closer. This is achieved by creating multiple versions of the same 3D asset, each with a different polygon count and level of visual fidelity.

When an object is rendered, the system determines its distance from the camera. Based on this distance, it selects the appropriate LOD model to display. For instance, a distant mountain might be represented by a few hundred polygons, while the same mountain up close could be rendered with tens of thousands. This significantly reduces the computational load on the graphics processing unit (GPU) because fewer polygons need to be processed and shaded for objects that appear small on screen.

The implementation of LOD typically involves creating a hierarchy of models for each asset. These models are often generated automatically or semi-automatically using specialized software that simplifies existing meshes. The transition between different LOD levels can be handled abruptly or smoothly through techniques like cross-fading to minimize visual pop-in or popping artifacts. LOD is widely used in video games, simulations, and other real-time 3D applications where maintaining a high frame rate is crucial.