Speed Tree-Based Forest Simulation System

We introduce a forest simulation system called SpeedTree-Based Forest Simulation System (SFSS), which is able to simulate a real-time interactive virtual forest after user setting up tree species and forest distribution. SFSS solves the conflict between system overhead and visual effects in forest simulation: in processing data, in order to provide a structural basis for high-speed data processing, SFSS takes SpeedTree Model Library as the source of trees data and encapsulates data according to SpeedTree tree structures; in reducing amount of data, it uses forest culling algorithm culling the virtual forest and Mixed-Level Modeling approach modeling forest to reduce the need of data amount; in improving visual effect, it uses programmable pipeline to enhance the picture quality. We have done a lot of experiments to test SFSS´s performance. The average frame rate is 29.3 frames per second (fps) when the view point moved; it is 98.2 fps when view point maintained stillness. The experimental results show that SFSS meets the need of real-time forest simulation with high practical value.