Properties of generalized Ball curves and surfaces (Q1181946)

The authors consider a modification of the usual Bézier form of a polynomial curve or surface. This so-called generalized Ball representation possesses the same shape --- preserving properties of the Bézier form. Another advantage is the simple degree raising and lowering. Corresponding recursive algorithms are included for the curve case as well as for surfaces over triangles. Furthermore it is investigated how any generalized Ball curve can be approximated by one of lower degree, giving precise error bounds.