Algebraic properties of plane offset curves (Q758088)

The authors consider the offsets to a polynomial or rational parametric generator r(t) as algebraic curves, specified by implicit equations \(f_ 0(x,y)=0\). The degree of \(f_ 0\) is diminished relative to its nominal value whenever the generator satisfies certain simple criteria. One discusses the use of algebraic methods based on polynomial resultant and real-root isolation procedures. These methods furnish an algorithmic basis for identifying the self-intersections of offset curves, required for the computation of the trimmed offsets, desired in many practical applications.