Ming C. Lin

Interference Detection Between Curved Objects for Computer Animation

We present algorithms for collision detection between curved objects moving in a dynamic environment and modeled using B-spline or piecewise algebraic surfaces. The problem of contact determination is formulated using algebriac constraints and the resulting algorithms are based on the geometry of the models. In particular for a convex surface, the algorithms use polyhedral approximations and proceed by keeping track of closest features between the polyhedral approximations, thereby utilizing geometric coherence between successive time steps in a dynamic environment. In general, the performance of the algorithm is independent of the combinatorial complexity of the polyhedral mesh. For general spline surfaces, the algorithm for contact determination uses the geometric formulation of surfaces along with algorithms for solving algebraic equations.