Colloquium
Chris Wojtan
Georgia Tech
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
1250 WEB
Refreshments 3:20 p.m.
Lecture 3:40 p.m.
Schedule
Host: Adam Bargteil
Title: Deformable Surfaces for Physics-Based Animation
Chris Wojtan
Georgia Tech
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
1250 WEB
Refreshments 3:20 p.m.
Lecture 3:40 p.m.
Schedule
Host: Adam Bargteil
Title: Deformable Surfaces for Physics-Based Animation
Abstract
Accurate computational representations of highly deformable surfaces are indispensable in the fields of computer animation, medical simulation, computer vision, digital modeling, and computational physics. After reviewing common representations of deformable surfaces, I will present some of my recent contributions to the field of computer graphics.
I will first present results from an algorithm that generates highly detailed continuum mechanics animations. This method combines a finite element method with a tetrahedral mesh generator and a high resolution surface mesh, and it is orders of magnitude more efficient than previous approaches. Next, I will present an efficient solution for the challenging problem of computing topological changes between detailed surface meshes. With some additional modifications, this algorithm is capable of tracking surfaces in computational fluid dynamics applications with unprecedented levels of accuracy and detail. This surface tracking technique also opens the door for a unique coupling between surficial finite element methods and volumetric finite difference methods, in order to simulate liquid surface tension phenomena more efficiently than any previous method. Due to its dramatic increase in computational resolution and efficiency, this method yielded the first computer simulations of a fully developed crown splash with droplet pinch off.
Finally, I will present several directions of future research. In addition to future applications within the field of computer animation, I will discuss strategies for attacking open problems in geometric modeling, computational fluid dynamics, applied mathematics, and surgical planning.
Return to 2010 Events Calendar
Accurate computational representations of highly deformable surfaces are indispensable in the fields of computer animation, medical simulation, computer vision, digital modeling, and computational physics. After reviewing common representations of deformable surfaces, I will present some of my recent contributions to the field of computer graphics.
I will first present results from an algorithm that generates highly detailed continuum mechanics animations. This method combines a finite element method with a tetrahedral mesh generator and a high resolution surface mesh, and it is orders of magnitude more efficient than previous approaches. Next, I will present an efficient solution for the challenging problem of computing topological changes between detailed surface meshes. With some additional modifications, this algorithm is capable of tracking surfaces in computational fluid dynamics applications with unprecedented levels of accuracy and detail. This surface tracking technique also opens the door for a unique coupling between surficial finite element methods and volumetric finite difference methods, in order to simulate liquid surface tension phenomena more efficiently than any previous method. Due to its dramatic increase in computational resolution and efficiency, this method yielded the first computer simulations of a fully developed crown splash with droplet pinch off.
Finally, I will present several directions of future research. In addition to future applications within the field of computer animation, I will discuss strategies for attacking open problems in geometric modeling, computational fluid dynamics, applied mathematics, and surgical planning.
Return to 2010 Events Calendar