Java™ Media APIs: Cross-Platform Imaging, Media, and Visualization

Fog

Fog is a powerful cue giving the impression of 3D. In addition, use of fog can result in the rather surprising benefit of improved rendering time for many scenes. Note that fog doesn't necessarily have to be thick or even strongly apparent to add to the 3D scene or to give improvement in rendering time. Fog can be used to soften edges much like one would use antialiasing.

The key to using fog in Java 3D is to first understand the difference among the three fundamental uses of fog. This first is the more obvious use for simulating weather patterns and providing additional parallax when moving through the environment.

The second use of fog is for depth cueing. As mentioned throughout this section, the sense of immersion (again, a central goal ...