Surface interpolation on irregular networks with normal conditions

Abstract

Interpolation is a well-known technique in free-form surface design and shape modelling contexts. Most of the previous interpolating schemes suffer from the reguarity requirement of the network describing a surface; a requirement which has long been considered as a source of irritation and limitation. Another problem is the inability to specify plane tangents or normal vectors at the points of a network; a property which is very attractive in local control. In this paper, a recursive division surface scheme is described that is capable of interpolating points on irregular networks as well as normal vectors given at these points, thus increasing local control by allowing the user to specify plane tangents at the interpolated points leading to more powerful surface systems. The devised algorithm is also presented.