Dual bases for Wang-Bézier basis and their applications

This paper presents the dual bases for Wang-Bézier curves with a position parameter L, which include Bézier curve, Wang-Ball curve and some intermediate curves. The Marsden identity and the transformation formulas from Bézier curve to Wang-Bézier curve are also given. These results are useful for the application of Wang-Bézier curve and their popularization in Computer Aided Geometric Design.     

The weighted dual functions for Wang-Bézier type generalized Ball bases and their applications

By introducing the inner-product matrix of two vector functions and using conversion matrix, explicit formulas for the dual basis functions of Wang-Bézier type generalized Ball bases (WBGB) with respect to the Jacobi weight function are given. The dual basis functions with and without boundary constraints are also considered. As a result, the paper includes the weighted dual basis functions of Bernstein basis, Wang-Ball basis and some intermediate bases. Dual functionals for WBGB and the least square approximation polynomials are also obtained.     

Hybrid polynomial approximation to higher derivatives of rational curves

In this paper, we extend the results published in JCAM volume 214 pp. 163-174 in 2008. Based on the bound estimates of higher derivatives of both Bernstein basis functions and rational Bézier curves, we prove that for any given rational Bézier curve, if the convergence condition of the corresponding hybrid polynomial approximation is satisfied, then not only the l-th (l=1,2,3) derivatives of its hybrid polynomial approximation curve uniformly converge to the corresponding derivatives of the rational Bézier curve, but also this conclusion is tenable in the case of any order derivative. This result can expand the area of applications of hybrid polynomial approximation to rational curves in geometric design and geometric computation.     

Towards existence of piecewise Chebyshevian B-spline bases

The paper addresses the problem of how to ensure existence of blossoms in the context of piecewise spaces built from joining different extended Chebyshev spaces by means of connection matrices. The interest of this issue lies in the fact that existence of blossoms is equivalent to existence of B-spline bases in all associated spline spaces. As is now classical, blossoms are defined in a geometric way by means of intersections of osculating flats. In such a piecewise context, intersecting a number of osculating flats is a tough proposition. In the present paper, we show that blossoms exist if an only if Bézier points exist, which significantly simplifies the problem. Existence of blossoms also proves to be equivalent to existence of Bernstein bases. In order to establish the latter results, we start by extending to the piecewise context some results which are classical for extended Chebyshev spaces. AMS subject classification 65D17, 65D07     

On parametrization of interpolating curves

In parametric curve interpolation there is given a sequence of data points and corresponding parameter values (nodes), and we want to find a parametric curve that passes through data points at the associated parameter values. We consider those interpolating curves that are described by the combination of control points and blending functions. We study paths of control points and points of the interpolating curve obtained by the alteration of one node. We show geometric properties of quadratic Bézier interpolating curves with uniform and centripetal parameterizations. Finally, we propose geometric methods for the interactive modification and specification of nodes for interpolating Bézier curves.     

Necessary and sufficient conditions for rational quartic representation of conic sections

Conic section is one of the geometric elements most commonly used for shape expression and mechanical accessory cartography. A rational quadratic Bézier curve is just a conic section. It cannot represent an elliptic segment whose center angle is not less than π$\pi$. However, conics represented in rational quartic format when compared to rational quadratic format, enjoy better properties such as being able to represent conics up to 2π$2\pi$ (but not including 2π$2\pi$) without resorting to negative weights and possessing better parameterization. Therefore, it is actually worth studying the necessary and sufficient conditions for the rational quartic Bézier representation of conics. This paper attributes the rational quartic conic sections to two special kinds, that is, degree-reducible and improperly parameterized; on this basis, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the rational quartic Bézier representation of conics are derived. They are divided into two parts: Bézier control points and weights. These conditions can be used to judge whether a rational quartic Bézier curve is a conic section; or for a given conic section, present positions of the control points and values of the weights of the conic section in form of a rational quartic Bézier curve. Many examples are given to show the use of our results.     

An extension of the Bézier model

In this paper, we first construct a new kind of basis functions by a recursive approach. Based on these basis functions, we define the Bézier-like curve and rectangular Bézier-like surface. Then we extend the new basis functions to the triangular domain, and define the Bernstein-Bézier-like surface over the triangular domain. The new curve and surfaces have most properties of the corresponding classical Bézier curve and surfaces. Moreover, the shape parameter can adjust the shape of the new curve and surfaces without changing the control points. Along with the increase of the shape parameter, the new curve and surfaces approach the control polygon or control net. In addition, the evaluation algorithm for the new curve and triangular surface are provided.     

A planar cubic Bézier spiral

A planar cubic Bézier curve segment that is a spiral, i.e., its curvature varies monotonically with arc-length, is discussed. Since this curve segment does not have cusps, loops, and inflection points (except for a single inflection point at its beginning), it is suitable for applications such as highway design, in which the clothoid has been traditionally used. Since it is polynomial, it can be conveniently incorporated in CAD systems that are based on B-splines, Bézier curves, or NURBS (nonuniform rational B-splines) and is thus suitable for general curve design applications in which fair curves are important.     

Conditions for coincidence of two cubic Bézier curves

This paper presents a necessary and sufficient condition for judging whether two cubic Bézier curves are coincident: two cubic Bézier curves whose control points are not collinear are coincident if and only if their corresponding control points are coincident or one curve is the reversal of the other curve. However, this is not true for degree higher than 3. This paper provides a set of counterexamples of degree 4.     

A further generalisation of the planar cubic Bézier spiral

Spiral segments are useful in the design of fair curves. They are important in CAD/CAM applications, the design of highway and railway routes, trajectories of mobile robots and other similar applications. Cubic Bézier curves are commonly used in curve and surface design because they are of low degree, are easily evaluated, and allow inflection points. This paper generalises earlier results on planar cubic Bézier spiral segments and examines techniques for curve design using the new results.