AN INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS APPROACH TO SURFACE REPRESENTATION

An interactive computer graphics method has been developed for the rapid generation of arbitrary shaped three-dimensional surfaces. The method is a synthesis of spline theory and algorithms, an interactive means for man/machine communication, and software for static or dynamic graphics display. The basic technique employed is a modified lofting method in which sectional curves are represented by uniform B-splines and the surface is interpolated between sections by Cardinal splines. Among the features of this method are algorithms which enable interactive modification of the B-spline representation of the sectional curves. At all stages of the process, the spatial information is graphically displayed to the user. Complex surfaces can be created by the combination of a number of shapes that have been separately generated and automatically joined. The system has been successfully interfaced to a variety of analytical routines for structural, medical, and graphical applications.

• Corporate Authors:

  Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

  2 Penn Plaza
  New York, NY  United States  10121-0701
• Authors:
  • Wu, S C
  • Abel, J F
  • Greenberg, D P
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 10 p.
• Serial:
  • ACM Communications
  • Volume: 20
  • Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer graphics; Computers; Fairing lines; Hulls; Human machine systems; Information display systems; Naval architecture; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Interactive graphics; Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Hull geometry; Lines fairing; Man machine communications
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170908
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM