Constructing \(C^3\) shape preserving interpolating space curves (Q5934304)

The authors first construct a shape preserving interpolating curve \(C = C(t)\) which is only \(G^2\) or \(C^2\) continuous. By adding a correction term of variable degree, the authors next obtain a \(C^3\) curve \(Q = Q(t)\). It is shown that in the limit, that is for large values of some degrees, \(Q\) approaches \(C\) , thus retaining the good shape previuosly obtained. An additional feature of this approach is that the starting curve \(C\) can be either a \(C^1 - G^2\) cubic spline or a \(C^2\) variable degree polynomial spline [see \textit{P. D. Kaklis} and \textit{M. I. Karavelas}, IMA J. Numer. Anal. 17, No. 3, 373-419 (1997; Zbl 0928.65019)].