Approximate conversion of rational B-spline patches (Q1822885)

A method for approximation of nonuniform rational Bézier and B-spline surface patches by nonuniform integral B-spline patches of lower degree is developed. Global error bounds, necessary in veryfying accurate approximation, are derived. The authors extend the algorithm considered by the second author [Approximate conversion of rational splines, ibid. 6, No.2, 155-165 (1989)] from curves to surfaces. Some examples illustrate the properties and the applications of the method.