A Stress Model for Simulating Tree Bark Development

Abstract

In computer graphics a large amount of work has been invested into the realistic display of vegetation. Application areas range from fields such as architecture over computer games to computer animation for films. Since trees have the most prominent appearance in vegetation, a large focus lies on the faithful representation of synthetic trees. Works done on the rendering of trees often target either the structural representation, the foliage, or the tree trunk. The presented work focuses on the latter. A simulation method is developed that recreates the surface appearance of tree bark defined by imperfections therein: cracks. It incorporates an already established physically-based stress model which evolves a stress field over time. The result of this model is rendered with current graphics hardware to create compelling images resembling natural trees at interactive frame rates. This technique is also applied to evolving objects, allowing to simulate a natural growth process.