A Survey Of Object-Space Hidden Surface Removal

We present a survey of the hidden surface removal literature, focusing on object-space algorithms. We give a brief definition and history of the problem, followed by a discussion of problems and algorithms associated with the priority ordering of faces. We go on to examine object-space algorithms in order of increasing object complexity: xy-parallel rectangles, ordered triangles, c-oriented faces, c-oriented polyhedra, polyhedral terrains, and general polyhedra. We also review recent work on merging visibility maps and moving viewpoints. Finally, we present a list of open problems.