MIP map

A MIP map (sometimes spelled mipmap ) is a computer graphics technique used to achieve an illusion of depth in a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional ( 3D ) image. Used in conjunction with texture mapping , MIP mapping features multiple images of a single texture map at different resolutions to represent surface textures at varying distances from the viewer's perspective: the largest scaled image is placed in the foreground and progressively smaller ones recede toward the background area. Each scale difference is defined as a MIP map level . MIP mapping helps avoid unwanted jagged edges (called jaggies ) in an image that can result from using bit map images at different resolutions.

MIP comes from the Latin multum in parvo , meaning a multitude in a small space .

Last updated on: Sep 21, 2005

>  Enterprise Software related Research & News >  White Papers for the Retail Industry Are you a Know-IT-All? What handy input device did Douglas Englebart invent? Answer  Get the Word of the Day  Follow us on Twitter WORD OF THE DAY... SAP LEARN MORE ABOUT... SAP trends USA Contributors Worldwide Contributors Awards and Recognition Our 60+ tech-specific sites WhatIs.com RSS Feeds