3-Dimensional model composed against textured midground image and perspective enhancing hemispherically mapped backdrop image for visual realism

A modelling system for producing an output image of a 3-D scene, the modelling system comprising:

• a 3-D computer graphics modeller for producing a computer generated foreground architectural image that is a 2-dimensional projection of a 3-dimensional architectural object as viewed from a selected viewpoint and in a selected direction, the architectural image being formed of first image pixels, the computer graphics modeller also producing first position information indicative of positions of the first image pixels;
• a source of first video data;
• first digital video effects apparatus for receiving the first video data from the source of first video data and for projecting the received first video data by mapping said video data onto a tube, mapping the tube onto a hemisphere to form a compressed image and correcting for artifacts introduced into the compressed image to produce a synthesized background image so as to surround the architectural object;
• a source of second video data;
• second digital video effects apparatus for projecting the second video data onto a 3-dimensional topographical surface to form a 3-dimensional landscape and for producing a third image that is a 2-dimensional projection of the 3-dimensional landscape as viewed from the selected viewpoint and in the selected direction, the 3-dimensional topographical surface being defined between the 3-dimensional architectural object and the synthesized background image, the third image being formed of third image pixels, the second digital video effects apparatus also producing second position information indicative of positions of the third image pixels;
• a 3-D combiner connected to receive the computer-generated foreground architectural image and the third image for forming a combined image from the computer generated foreground architectural image and the third image on the basis of the first and second position information;
• and
• means for composing the output image from the combined image and the synthesized background image on the basis of key signals supplied to the means for composing from the 3-D combiner.