Curves under tension (Q1064005)

The authors introduce a new type of parametrically defined space curve by using rational blending functions involving parameters which allow for convenient control over local shape attributes while maintaining global curve continuity. The blending functions arise from generalizations of an idea of \textit{G. M. Nielson} [Some piecewise polynomial alternatives to splines under tension, in: \textit{R. E. Barnhill}, \textit{R. F. Riesenfeld} (eds.), Computer aided geometric design (1974; Zbl 0316.68006)]. The curve is defined similarly to Bézier- and B-spline curves by a control polygon \(\{P_ 0,...,P_{2k}\}\) and additional shape parameters \(\alpha =(\alpha_ 1,...,\alpha_{2k-1})\). By increasing the shape parameters it is possible to make the curve fill out the control polygon very well. The paper includes some numerical examples which indicate that this method for curve generation might be well suited for CAD applications. However some comparisons with other algorithms like B-splines, where the order of the spline may be chosen to follow the control polygon more or less well, seem to be necessary.