DISCRETE MODELING FOR NATURAL OBJECTS

This paper presents a discrete technique specially designed for modeli ng the geometry and the properties of natural objects as those encount ered in biology and geology. Contrary to classical Computer-Aided Desi gn methods based on continuous (polynomial) functions, the proposed ap proach is based on a discretization of the objects close to the finite -element techniques used for solving differential equations. Each obje ct is modeled as a set of interconnected nodes holding the geometry an d the physical properties of the objects and the Discrete Smooth Inter polation method is used for fitting the geometry and the properties to complex data. Data are turned into lineal constraints and some constr aints related to typical information encountered in geology are presen ted.