Rendering 2D Lines on 3D Terrain Model with Optimization in Visual Quality and Running Performance

With the gradual shift from 2D maps to a 3D virtual environment, various visual artifacts were generated by overlaying 2D map symbols on 3D terrain models. This work proposes a novel screen‐based method for rendering 2D vector lines with the accuracy of more than one pixel on the screen in real time. First, screen pixels are inversely projected onto a 3D terrain surface, and then onto the 2D vector plane. Next, these pixels are classified into three categories in terms of their intersection situation with the 2D lines. After that, a multiple sampling process is applied to the pixels that intersect with the 2D lines in order to eliminate visual artifacts, such as intermittence and aliasing (in pixel scale). Finally, a suitable point‐in‐polygon judgment is implemented to color each sample point quickly. The algorithm is realized in a heterogeneously parallel model so that the performance is improved and becomes acceptable.