ROAM
In 3D computer graphics and solid modeling, real-time optimally adapting mesh (ROAM) is a continuous level of detail algorithm that optimizes terrain meshes. On modern computers, sometimes it is more effective to send a small amount of unneeded polygons to the GPU, rather than burden the CPU with LOD (Level of Detail) calculations—making algorithms like geomipmapping more effective than ROAM. This technique is used by graphics programmers in order to produce high quality displays while being able to maintain real-time frame rates.