Terrain generation using genetic algorithms

We propose a method for applying genetic algorithms to create 3D terrain data sets. Existing procedural algorithms for generation of terrain have several shortcomings. The most popular approach, fractal-based terrain generation, is efficient, but is difficult for a user to control. Other methods tend to require too much user input. In this paper, we provide an alternative method of terrain generation that uses a two-pass genetic algorithm approach to produce a variety of terrain types using only intuitive user inputs. We allow a user to specify a rough sketch of terrain region boundaries, and we refine these boundaries using a genetic algorithm. We then couple this with a database of given terrain data to generate an artificial terrain, which we optimize using a second genetic algorithm. Categories and Subject Descriptors I.2.8 [Artificial Intelligence]: Problem Solving, Control Methods, and Search I.3.5 [Computer Graphics]: Computational Geometry and Object Modeling General Terms Alg...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: GECCO
• Authors: TeongJoo Ong, Ryan Saunders, John Keyser, John J. Leggett
• Keywords: GECCO 2005, Genetic Algorithms, Terrain, Terrain Generation