Modeling and animation of orb webs
Anubhav Mehla · University Library - University of Saskatchewan (University of Saskatchewan) · 2005
Modeling of natural phenomena has been of particular interest in the graphics community in recent years.This thesis will explore a method for creating and animating orb webs using a coupled springmass system.Using a spring-mass system for creating the orb web is ideal as we can represent each web strand using coupled spring-mass pairs.This allows the orb web simulator to be physically based, i.e., the simulation follows the laws that act on objects in the real world.This in turn simplifies the process of animating the web, as the animation emerges from the simulator without anyone having to set it up explicitly.Since this model is physically based, it would allow for realistic visualization of effects such as observing an orb web under a wind.In the children's book "Charlotte's Web", the spider creates orb webs with words inscribed on them.Charlotte's web is used as an inspiration, in this thesis, to create webs which no real world spider could possibly create, while keeping the model physically based.This involves modifying the orb web such that the target text shows up on the orb web while keeping the web looking as natural as possible.I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to Dr David Mould, my supervisor, for his guidance, inspiration and support throughout the last two years.Without him, this dissertation would not have happened.Dr Mould not only provided me with the ideas which form the basis of this dissertation, but also provided numerous clear and concise suggestions