Computer Science Honours Project Proposal (Computer Graphics)
Ben Porter 22.10.08
3d modelling is the process of constructing a virtual form for use in diverse fields such as film, computer games, computer aided engineering, architecture, physical simulation, or other interactive software. Many different packages and methods exist for modelling, one such package is Blender [1], a free and open-source modelling, animation and compositing tool.
It is often desirable to create organic forms, for example a giant CG kraken for a pirate movie. However, this is usually a very complex process, as 3d modelling tools are very general and have limited support for the kinds of patterns and shapes that can characterise organic quality. The aim of this project is to take a commonly occurring feature of organic shape and design and implement a tool to support the easy modelling of that feature.
One such recurring motif of many organic forms is covering symmetry. This occurs when a surface is literally covered in a repeated object, such as a tentacle being covered by suckers (as in the image shown above [2].) A tool that supports covering symmetry would ideally take as input: an arbitrary surface S, an arbitrary shape C, and some parameters (such as covering density, arrangement style, etc.) and then would output the shape of C covering S. An example is presented in the following diagram, where the blue box is the tool.
The covering operation can be implemented in a multitude of ways and this project would investigate some of these in a very hands on and practical way. The desired outcome would be an easy to use tool integrated into a 3d modelling package (such as Blender), along with a set of case studies (3d models) resulting from the use of tool. As such, experience in (and enthusiasm for) computer graphics and programming is a requirement for this project.
References:
1. Blender http://www.blender.org/
2. Image taken by Dorin, A. "Netsu", a visual poem exclusively for the WWW, Takonohara, Nara Pref, Japan, Jan 2001 (from http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~aland/films.html )
3. Xfrog supports some organic properties, such as branching and symmetry http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/
4. "Homage to Kurt Fleischer's 'Thornballs'" (Jon McCormack, 2001)
4. Haeckel's brilliant Kunstformen der Natur has some interesting organic shapes (online at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Kunstformen_der_Natur )
