Visual Computing

University of Konstanz
ACM Transactions on Graphics

Plastic Trees: Interactive Self-adapting Botanical Tree Models

S. Pirk, O. Stava, J. Kratt, M. Said, B. Neubert, R. Měch, B. Benes, O. Deussen
Teaser of Plastic Trees: Interactive Self-adapting Botanical Tree Models

Material

Paper (.pdf, 20.2MB)

Abstract

We present a dynamic tree modeling and representation technique that allows complex tree models to interact with their environment. Our method uses changes in the light distribution and proximity to solid obstacles and other trees as approximations of biologically motivated transformations on a skeletal representation of the tree’s main branches and its procedurally generated foliage. Parts of the tree are transformed only when required, thus our approach is much faster than common algorithms such as Open L-Systems or space colonization methods. Input is a skeleton-based tree geometry that can be computed from common tree production systems or from reconstructed laser scanning models. Our approach enables content creators to directly interact with trees and to create visually convincing ecosystems interactively. We present different interaction types and evaluate our method by comparing our transformations to biologically based growth simulation techniques.

Video

BibTeX

@article{Pirk2012PlasticTreesInteractive,
  acmid      = {2185546},
  address    = {New York, NY, USA},
  articleno  = {50},
  author     = {S. Pirk, O. Stava, J. Kratt, M. Said, B. Neubert, R. Měch, B. Benes, O. Deussen},
  doi        = {10.1145/2185520.2185546},
  issn       = {0730-0301},
  issue_date = {July 2012},
  journal    = {ACM Transactions on Graphics},
  keywords   = {generative tree modeling, interactive procedural modeling, visual models of trees},
  month      = {jul},
  number     = {4},
  numpages   = {10},
  pages      = {50:1--50:10},
  publisher  = {ACM},
  title      = {Plastic Trees: Interactive Self-adapting Botanical Tree Models},
  url        = {http://graphics.uni-konstanz.de/publikationen/Pirk2012PlasticTreesInteractive},
  volume     = {31},
  year       = {2012}
}