Intuitive procedure for constructing geometrically complex objects using cyclides (Q1323675)

The authors propose techniques for freeform surface design using cyclide surfaces. More precisely, they develop two procedures, called UCCT and TCCT, both of which work by joining together cyclide pieces and thus forming a geometrical object. UCCT does this in an unconstrained manner: Given a set of ordered spheres, the procedure interpolates three of them at a time, in sequence, thus producing a composite volume bounded by cyclide pieces. TCCT appears to be an improvement of this approach, since here it is ensured that adjacent cyclide pieces join together with continuous tangent. In addition, the authors present two techniques for locally controlled modification of the composite surface. The paper contains a total of 11 figures and 3 colour plates, which illustrate the authors' considerations.