At present most of software in styling and design, no matter
single or integrate, utilize the spline curve as their basis method
of surface creating. And the NURBS technology is applied broadly.
However, considering the computing time, system resource, and in
order to create high quality surface model quickly, the paper
brings out and describes the PDE method and its application to
surface modeling.
PDE, that is partial differential equation, is a numerical
method to solve boundary question. The paper will discuss the
approach and its application in the following aspects: (1)
Application type of the PDE in engineering; (2) Method to control
surface shape; (3) Definition the boundary conditions; (4) Managing
the CO four side face; (5) Managing the C1 four side face (6)
Tackling the triangle face; (7) Interface of PDE to NURBS.
The PDE method has many computing techniques, it is easy to
write program, and the surface created using this method is
smoother than the conventional method. Some examples will be
illustrated. Also the computing rate of PDE is fast and timesaving,
which will simplify the point-measuring work in reverse
engineering.
It is important to find a method combining the PDE and NURBS,
and we can create surface of autobody more smoothly and quickly. It
is reasonable to prospect this method studying, and it also
significant in product design.