Abstract:
Physics-based modeling techniques have been shown to be advanced
methods for creating high quality surfaces for application in CAGD. In this
paper we propose a physics-based Temporal Computational Object (TCO) as a
modeling process that simulates a liquid membrane to generate organic freeform
models. This process compliments existing solid and elastic physics based
modeling processes by simulating a common liquid phase of matter. The
simulation consists of a mesh that undergoes motion in response to surface
tension and other energies, resulting in a smooth, minimum energy surface.
The surface is produced via a dynamic process that is directed and influenced
by user-defined scalar and vector fields, boundary conditions and a variety of
internal parameters and topologies. These surfaces include multiple free
intersecting surfaces, volume-preserving surfaces and periodic surfaces. We
provide a wide range of examples that show high quality physics-based
surfaces.