Geometric Programming for Computer-Aided Design (Hardcover)

Learn how to create computational designs, graphics and animations with minimum programming effort but without sacrificing an understanding of the algorithmic processes involved.

Students and teachers of computer aided design have two options available to them. On the one hand, they can make use of state-of-the-art computer aided design systems that hide all the programming behind the user interface. Alternatively, they can learn from first principles and expend excess effort dealing with the tangential programming requirements of the computational framework, the user interface and graphical display methods.

Geometric Programming for Computer Aided Design provides a middle way. It presents PlaSM, a design environment for graphics, modelling and animation that supports rapid prototyping but does not deprive the user of direct control over the underlying geometric programming.

Divided into 3 self-contained sections, this book provides:

• An introduction to functional programming with PLaSM

   

• A comprehensive discussion of basic graphics programming techniques

   

• An in-depth tutorial on geometric modelling progressing from basic to advanced concepts including animation and motion modelling

   

• Complete PLaSM language libraries organized by chapter

   

• Access to free geometric libraries and the PLaSM source code via an accompanying web site

   

• Examples from other disciplines such as mathematics, mechanical engineering, architecture and the arts.

Think of PLaSM as a Rapid Application Development environment that allows both student and teacher, professional designer and researcher, to generate examples and prototypes with minimal programming effort and maximum control.

Table of Contents

Preface.

I Programming and Geometry.

Introduction to FL and PlaSM.

Geometric programming.

Elements of linear algebra.

Elements of polyhedral geometry.

Elements of differential geometry.

II Graphics.

Affine transformations.

Graphic primitives.

Hierarchical structures.

Graphic pipelines.

Viewing and rendering.

III Modeling.

Parametric curves.

Parametric surfaces and solids.

Basic solid modeling.

Dimension-independent PLaSM operators.

Motion modeling.

Appendix A: Definition of MyFont.

Appendix B: PLaSM libraries.

Appendix C: References.

Index.