A review of image-based rendering techniques

In this paper, we survey the techniques for image-based rendering. Unlike traditional 3D computer graphics in which 3D geometry of the scene is known, image-based rendering techniques render novel views directly from input images. Previous image-based rendering techniques can be classified into three categories according to how much geometric information is used: rendering without geometry, rendering with implicit geometry (i.e., correspondence), and rendering with explicit geometry (either with approximate or accurate geometry). We discuss the characteristics of these categories and their representative methods. The continuum between images and geometry used in image-based rendering techniques suggests that image-based rendering with traditional 3D graphics can be united in a joint image and geometry space.