The numerical problem of using Bézier curves and surfaces in the power basis (Q1116269)

The authors analyze that modeling using the Bézier method, the computation of curves and surfaces points for CAD may be achieved either with the De Casteljau algorithm in the Bernstein basis or with the Horner algorithm in the power basis. They prove that the equations of curves and surfaces in the power basis may be affected by a very important loss of significant digits on the polynomial coefficients, due to the required conversion matrices which are ill-conditioned. Some numerical examples are given. They conclude that the use of the Horner algorithm should be avoided for the computation of curves and surfaces points with the Bézier method.