Digital Design of Nature

Description

The reproduction of nature via computer has fascinated scientists in computer graphics and artists, ever since synthetic imaging was thought to be possible. This book illustrates and exemplifies methods for the creation of artificial plant models, and the application of these methods within areas such as simulation, virtual reality, botany, landscaping, and architecture. The models are combined to create gardens, parks, and even entire landscapes. The range of creating representational forms reaches from deceptively authentic looking pictures to abstract presentations. In addition, with similar methods organic objects can be produced, changed, and animated.

CONTENTS:

Computer-Generated Plants - Introduction.- Plants - Botanical Description.- Some Mathematics.- Plants as Mathematical Objects.- Procedural Modeling - Programming of Plants.- Rule-Based Modeling - Single Plants are "Emerging".- Rule-Based Object Production - Interactive Modeling.- Modeling Terrain - The Basis.- Modeling Vegetation - A Landscape Evolves.- Rendering - Creating "Virtual Reality".- Level-of-Detail - Fast Rendering of Images.- Landscape Sketches - Artistic Renditions.- Media Art - Growing Plants and Evolved Organics.- Practical Plant Modeling - Using Xfrog.- Glossary.- Figures.- Bibliography.- Index