Real-Time 3D Graphics with WebGL 2 - Second Edition

Mipmapping

Before we can discuss the remaining filter modes that are only applicable to TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, we need to introduce a new concept: mipmapping.

A problem arises when sampling minified textures. In cases where we use LINEAR filtering and the sample points are so far apart, we can completely miss some details of the texture. As the view shifts, the texture fragments that we miss change, which results in a shimmering effect. You can see this in action by setting the MIN filter in the demo to NEAREST or LINEAR, zooming out, and rotating the cube:

To avoid this, graphics cards can utilize a mipmap chain.

Mipmaps are scaled-down copies ...