Two methods for voxel detail enhancement

Abstract

In this paper I describe a novel technique called voxel detail enhancement that, inspired by pixel art scaling algorithms for 2D images, produces finely detailed (3D) voxel maps from the coarser maps that would be edited by a player's actions during gameplay. I describe two methods which deterministically generate fine voxel fragments that depend only on the occupancy of a local window of coarse voxels. Enhanced voxel maps can provide attractive visuals for voxel-based games without requiring the player to manipulate the world at a finer scale. Decoupling the geometry used in graphics and physics from the construction and destruction mechanics of the game opens up new gameplay possibilities in the design space occupied by games like Minecraft and Voxelstein 3D.