An Octree is a tree data structure used to partition three-dimensional space by recursively subdividing it into eight octants. This method is particularly useful in computer graphics, spatial indexing, and 3D modeling, as it allows for efficient organization and retrieval of spatial data. Each node in an octree represents a cubic volume, and as objects are added, the space is divided into smaller cubes to maintain a balanced structure.
Octrees are commonly used in applications such as 3D rendering, collision detection, and geographic information systems (GIS). By organizing data in this hierarchical manner, octrees can significantly improve performance when searching for objects or rendering scenes, as they reduce the number of comparisons needed.