Applied geometry for computer graphics and CAD

Publication date 27 September 1999

curves geometrical objects projections surfaces transformations

Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to computer science (68-01) Computer graphics; computational geometry (digital and algorithmic aspects) (68U05)

Review text

In the book applications of geometry to computer graphics and computer-aided design are explored with the focus on representation and manipulation of geometric objects. First, representation of points and lines is discussed and planar and spatial transformations are introduced to construct and manipulate objects. Then projections and the viewing pipeline are discussed followed by the study of planar and spatial curves. Main emphasis here is on Bézier and B-spline curves. Surface representation is then considered followed by curvature for curves and surfaces. Reader of the book is assumed to have knowledge of vectors, matrices and calculus, however, as pointed in the preface, the course has been taught also to students with only a little knowledge of these topics using some additional material. The book is divided into ten chapters. First chapter starts with points and lines, their representation and relevant transformations, namely translations, scalings, reflections, rotations, and shears. In the second chapter homogeneous coordinates are introduced and the problem of visualization of the projective plane is considered using two models -- line model and spherical model of the projective plane. Homogeneous transformation matrices are then described and discussed. Chapter 3 treats homogeneous coordinates in three-dimensional space as well as basic transformations of space. Chapter 4 deals with the process of visualizing three-dimensional objects. Projections of the plane and of 3-dimensional space are discussed followed by the viewplane coordinate mapping and the device coordinate mapping thus describing the complete viewing pipeline. In the fifth chapter curve representations are introduced and the simplest types of curve, namely lines and conics are described. Next two chapters deal with Bézier curves in two and three dimensions, respectively. First, Bézier curves of low degree are considered followed by description of the general Bézier curves and their properties. The de Casteljau algorithm is presented as well as its application to three problems related to Bézier curves. In chapter 7 spatial Bézier curves are discussed -- their derivatives, conversions between representations as well as piecewise and rational Bézier curves. Chapter 8 is devoted to B-splines. First, integral B-spline curves and their properties are discussed and the de Boor algorithm for evaluations of points on a B-spline curve is described. In the rest of the chapter treatment of non-uniform rational B-splines is given. The discussion of curves in the previous chapters naturally leads to the study of surfaces given in Chapter 9. Surface forms corresponding to conics, Bézier curves, and B-spline curves, namely, quadric surfaces, Bézier surfaces, and B-spline surfaces are studied. Also a number of surface constructions (extruded surfaces, ruled surfaces, translationally swept surfaces, and surfaces of revolution) is described here. The last chapter (Chapter 10) is devoted to curve and surface curvatures. Curvature of a plane curve, curvature and torsion of a space curve as well as curvature of Bézier curves are covered here together with the section on surface curvatures. The book provides nice introduction to the foundations of applications of geometry to computer graphics and computer-aided design. A number of examples in the text together with more than 200 exercises (separate ``solutions section at the end of the book) allow one to better understand mathematical concepts used in computer graphics. A useful textbook.

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