Search

Abstract: Given four polynomial or rational Bézier curves defining a curvilinear rectangle, we consider the problem of constructing polynomial or rational tensor-product Bézier patches bounded by these curves, such that they are geodesics of the constructed surface. The existence conditions and interpolation scheme, developed in a general context in earlier studies, are adapted herein to ensure that the geodesic-bounded surface patches are compatible with the usual polynomial/rational representation schemes of CAD systems. Precise conditions for four Bézier curves to constitute geodesic boundaries of a polynomial or rational surface patch are identified, and an interpolation scheme for the construction of such surfaces is presented when these conditions are satisfied. The method is illustrated with several computed examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Given two pairs of regular space curves , and , that define a curvilinear rectangle, we consider the problem of constructing a surface patch for which these four boundary curves correspond to geodesics of the surface. The possibility of constructing such a surface patch is shown to depend on the given boundary curves satisfying two types of consistency constraints. The first constraint is global in nature, and is concerned with compatibility of the variation of the principal normals along the four curves with the normal to an oriented surface. The second constraint is a local differential condition, relating the curvatures and torsions of the curves meeting at each of the four patch corners to the angle between those curves. For curves satisfying these constraints, the surface patch is constructed using a bicubically-blended Coons interpolation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]