Glossary Sections
Bounding Box
Overview
In 3D graphics, a bounding box is a geometric object that encloses a 3D object. It is typically used to represent the minimum and maximum extents of an object in 3D space.
Bounding boxes are used for a variety of purposes in 3D graphics, such as:
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Collision detection: Collision detection is the process of determining if two objects are colliding. Bounding boxes can be used to quickly and efficiently determine if two objects are colliding, by comparing the bounding boxes of the two objects.
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Visibility culling: Visibility culling is the process of determining which objects are visible from a particular point of view. Bounding boxes can be used to quickly and efficiently determine which objects are visible, by comparing the bounding boxes of the objects to the view frustum (the frustum is the portion of 3D space that is visible from a particular point of view).
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Octree partitioning: Octree partitioning is a technique for dividing a 3D space into smaller sub-spaces. Bounding boxes are used to create the octree, and the octree can then be used to quickly and efficiently search for objects within a particular sub-space.
Here are the three main types of bounding boxes in 3D graphics:
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Axis-aligned bounding box (AABB): An AABB is a rectangular box that is aligned with the axes of the 3D coordinate system. AABBs are the simplest type of bounding box, and they are often used for collision detection and visibility culling.
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Oriented bounding box (OBB): An OBB is a rectangular box that is oriented arbitrarily in 3D space. OBBs are more complex than AABBs, but they can be used to improve the accuracy of collision detection and visibility culling.
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Sphere bounding box (SBB): A SBB is a sphere that encloses an object. SBBs are simpler than AABBs and OBBs, but they are less accurate. SBBs are often used for collision detection when speed is more important than accuracy.
The choice of bounding box type depends on the specific application. AABBs are a good choice for simple applications, while OBBs and SBBs can be used for more complex applications.
Here are some tips for using bounding boxes in 3D graphics:
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Use the appropriate type of bounding box for the application: AABBs are a good choice for simple applications, while OBBs and SBBs can be used for more complex applications.
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Use the smallest possible bounding box: The smaller the bounding box, the more accurate the collision detection and visibility culling will be.
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Update the bounding box when the object moves: The bounding box should be updated whenever the object moves, so that the collision detection and visibility culling are always accurate.
By following these tips, you can use bounding boxes to improve the performance and accuracy of your 3D graphics applications.
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