Mesh generation techniques are useful for synthesizing realistic images with limited computational resources. When images are generated from meshes, we can enhance image quality with considering discontinuities, orientations, and shapes of meshes. This thesis presents a new mesh generation technique which can be used to produce soft shadows, one of the most effective features for realistic images. We first present efficient penumbra and umbra generating algorithms in O(n + m) and O(m + n log n) time, respectively, where m and n are the number of vertices of a convex polygonal light source and an object. We also propose a new mesh generation algorithm, called an iso-lux contour meshing, which subdivides meshes along the iso-lux contour. Since this method reflects properties of intensity such as irradiance gradients, we can rapidly generate realistic images with the small number of large scaled mesh elements. Our mesh generation technique can be used for interactive applications such as virtual reality and walkthrough.
