On parametrization of interpolating curves (Q929942)

The interactive shape control of an interpolation curve which is given by a sequence of definition points on the curve and a sequence of parameter values (nodes) associated with these definition points is studied. The interpolation curve is modelled as the combination of the control points and blending functions and for the given nodes passes through the given definition points. The interactive shape control via repositioning of the control points, as is usual in the case of an approximation curve, is impossible due to the global influence of the nodes on the shape of the resulting curve. The authors describe the paths of control points and the points on the interpolation curve when varying the value of the nodes and suggest the interactive method for the interpolation curve shape control which lies in the visualisation of these paths. Not only the curves with general and polynomial blending functions are studied but also the concretisation for quadratic and cubic Bézier curves with uniform and centripetal parametrization is considered.