What is MIP map?

MAP map is a type of texture map used in three -dimensional (3D) computer graphics for use in applications such as video games and simulators. MIP maps are used to create less detailed textures for objects in 3D space to make it easier to draw remote objects in less detail. These MIP maps are usually referred to as "levels" with the original high -resolution image that is considered to be 0, another reduced quality map is level 1, the lower quality map is level 2 etc.

The origin of the term "MIP map" comes from the abbreviation for the Latin phrase multum in parvo , which translates "a lot in a small space". This applies to the overall MIP map file, which usually includes the original high -resolution texture map and the MIP map collected. MIP LLER smamaps are generally created by half rBy angering the original picture and then half of each MIP map creates smaller images. For example, a texture map may have a resolution of 256x256, referring to the number of pixels or image elements forming the length and width of the image; This picture would be applied to an object in 3D animation to make a realistic look.

MAP level 1 map for this texture would probably be reduced from the original figure to 128x128, which would maintain all the original information about the image, but reduced the level of quality and detail. Continuation of this example would MAP level 2 would be 64x64, level 3 would be 32x32, then 16x16, 8x8, 4x4 and finally 2x2. Everything smaller than this level would be the only pixel and was not very useful for rendering. When a user plays a video game or a similar application and the object appears for the first time, it would probably use one of the lowest resolution and replace the texture map with increasing resolution,when the player approached the object.

6 This pattern occurs when the remote object in the game has more texture pixels than the actual pixels to display the image. When this happens, the resulting remote images become jagged and nervous when image data is lost and cannot be displayed. Using textures with a lower resolution, the remote object can have a Pixel texture series smaller than the pixels displayed and display lower quality but a complete image.