This work addresses various applications pertaining to the design, modelling and animation of parametric surfaces using elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDE) which are produced via the PDE method. Compared with traditional surface generation techniques, the PDE method is an effective technique that can represent complex three-dimensional (3D) geometries in terms of a relatively small set of parameters. A PDE-based surface can be produced from a set of pre-configured curves that are used as the boundary conditions to solve a number of PDE. An important advantage of using this method is that most of the information required to define a surface is contained at its boundary. Thus, complex surfaces can be computed using only a small set of design parameters. In order to exploit the advantages of this methodology various applications were developed that vary from the interactive design of aircraft configurations to the animation of facial expressions in a computer-human interaction system that utilizes an artificial intelligence (AI) bot for real time conversation. Additional applications of generating cyclic motions for PDE based human character integrated in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) package as well as developing techniques to describe a given mesh geometry by a set of boundary conditions, required to evaluate the PDE method, are presented. Each methodology presents a novel approach for interacting with parametric surfaces obtained by the PDE method. This is due to the several advantages this surface generation technique has to offer. Additionally, each application developed in this thesis focuses on a specific target that delivers efficiently various operations in the design, modelling and animation of such surfaces. / The project files will not be available online.

Pharmaceutical tablets have been the most dominant form for drug delivery and they need to be strong enough to withstand external stresses due to packaging and loading conditions before use. The strength of the produced tablets, which is characterised by their compressibility and compactibility, is usually deter-mined through a physical prototype. This process is sometimes quite expensive and time consuming. Therefore, simulating this process before hand can over-come this problem. A technique for shape modelling of pharmaceutical tablets based on the use of Partial Differential Equations is presented in this thesis. The volume and the sur-face area of the generated parametric tablet in various shapes have been es-timated numerically. This work also presents an extended formulation of the PDE method to a higher dimensional space by increasing the number of pa-rameters responsible for describing the surface in order to generate a solid tab-let. The shape and size of the generated solid tablets can be changed by ex-ploiting the analytic expressions relating the coefficients associated with the PDE method. The solution of the axisymmetric boundary value problem for a finite cylinder subject to a uniform axial load has been utilised in order to model a displace-ment component of a compressed PDE-based representation of a flat-faced round tablet. The simulation results, which are analysed using the Heckel model, show that the developed model is capable of predicting the compressibility of pharmaceutical powders since it fits the experimental data accurately. The opti-mal design of pharmaceutical tablets with particular volume and maximum strength has been obtained using an automatic design optimisation which is performed by combining the PDE method and a standard method for numerical optimisation.

Pharmaceutical tablets have been the most dominant form for drug delivery and they need to be strong enough to withstand external stresses due to packaging and loading conditions before use. The strength of the produced tablets, which is characterised by their compressibility and compactibility, is usually deter-mined through a physical prototype. This process is sometimes quite expensive and time consuming. Therefore, simulating this process before hand can over-come this problem. A technique for shape modelling of pharmaceutical tablets based on the use of Partial Differential Equations is presented in this thesis. The volume and the sur-face area of the generated parametric tablet in various shapes have been es-timated numerically. This work also presents an extended formulation of the PDE method to a higher dimensional space by increasing the number of pa-rameters responsible for describing the surface in order to generate a solid tab-let. The shape and size of the generated solid tablets can be changed by ex-ploiting the analytic expressions relating the coefficients associated with the PDE method. The solution of the axisymmetric boundary value problem for a finite cylinder subject to a uniform axial load has been utilised in order to model a displace-ment component of a compressed PDE-based representation of a flat-faced round tablet. The simulation results, which are analysed using the Heckel model, show that the developed model is capable of predicting the compressibility of pharmaceutical powders since it fits the experimental data accurately. The opti-mal design of pharmaceutical tablets with particular volume and maximum strength has been obtained using an automatic design optimisation which is performed by combining the PDE method and a standard method for numerical optimisation.

Bayesian surface smoothing using splines usually proceeds by choosing the smoothness parameter through the use of data driven methods like generalized cross validation. In this methodology, knots of the splines are assumed to lie at the data locations. When anisotropy is present in the data, modeling is done via parametric functions. In the present thesis, we have proposed a non-parametric approach to Bayesian surface smoothing in the presence of anisotropy. We use eigenfunctions generated by thin-plate splines as our basis functions. Using eigenfunctions does away with having to place knots arbitrarily, as is done customarily. The smoothing parameter, the anisotropy matrix, and other parameters are simultaneously updated by a Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC) sampler. Unique in our implementation is model selection, which is again done concurrently with the parameter updates. Since the posterior distribution of the coefficients of the basis functions for any given model order is available in closed form, we are able to simplify the sampling algorithm in the model selection step. This also helps us in isolating the parameters which influence the model selection step. We investigate the relationship between the number of basis functions used in the model and the smoothness parameter and find that there is a delicate balance which exists between the two. Higher values of the smoothness parameter correspond to more number of basis functions being selected. Use of a non-parametric approach to Bayesian surface smoothing provides for more modeling flexibility. We are not constrained by the shape defined by a parametric shape of the covariance as used by earlier methods. A Bayesian approach also allows us to include the results obtained from previous analysis of the same data, if any, as prior information. It also allows us to evaluate pointwise estimates of variability of the fitted surface. We believe that our research also poses many questions for future research.

Um tópico importante em modelagem geométrica é a definição de objetos que não contenham cantos ou farpas. A geração de superfícies de junção (superfícies que conectam suavemente superfícies distintas) e uma das técnicas utilizadas para solucionar esse tipo de problema. Pode-se abordar a geração de superfícies de junção sob vários aspectos. Neste trabalho, serão estudadas superfícies de junção que conectam suavemente duas outras superfícies distintas (superfícies-base). Sob este enfoque, a geração das superfícies de junção será dividida em três etapas a saber: modelagem das superfícies-base, determinação das curvas de ancoragem e geração das junções propriamente ditas. Curvas de ancoragem são curvas que determinam a forma do contato entre a junção e cada uma das superfícies base. As superfícies-base utilizadas são superfícies compostas modeladas utilizando-se "beta-splines" uniformes. Discussões sobre a melhor maneira de se modelar as mesmas foram consideradas fora do contexto deste trabalho. A determinação das curvas de ancoragem é amplamente discutida. Optou-se por utilizar um piano de corte contra cada uma das superfícies-base para a determinação das curvas de ancoragem. O cálculo da intersecção entre o plano de corte e cada um dos "patches" das superfícies-base e feito utilizando-se um método numérico hibrido baseado em um algoritmo de movimentação associado a um algoritmo de reticulado. A geração das superfícies de junção e feita utilizando-se a técnica de Hermite. Para tanto é preciso que se calculem os vetores de controle necessários a técnica de Hermite de forma que se garanta a continuidade desejada ao longo da curva de contato entre a superfície base e a junção. No caso em questão e garantida continuidade geométrica de primeira ordem (G1). Por fim, apresenta-se protótipo do modelador utilizado para validar o método proposto. São indicadosos resultados obtidos bem como uma analise comparativa com outras soluções semelhantes encontradas na literatura a disposição. Os testes com o prot6tipo foram feitos em um microcomputador com arquitetura compatível com IBM-PC 386 com 640 KBytes de RAM, 20 Mhz, adaptador gráfico VGA e co-processador matemático 80387. O protótipo pode, entretanto, ser utilizado em qualquer microcomputador compatível com IBM-PC que disponha de no mínimo 640 Kbytes de memória RAM. O uso de co-processador matemático e adaptador gráfico EGA ou de major capacidade é aconselhado. / An important topic in geometric modeling is the definition of objects without sharp, corners or edges. A blending surface is one that smoothly connects two given surfaces.It has been a very useful way to define objects without sharp, corners or edges. One can approach the generation of blending surfaces from different points of view. This work deals with blending surfaces that smoothly connect two other surfaces called base-surfaces. According to this point of view the generation of blending surfaces will be divided in 3 steps: base-surfaces modeling, rail curves determination and generation of the blending surfaces. A rail curve is one along which blending and base surfaces meet. The base-surfaces used are composed-surfaces modeled by uniform beta-splines. The problem of modeling these surfaces is beyond the scope of this work. The determination of rail-curves is widely discussed. In order to determine each one of the rail curves, an intersection plane is choosen. The computation of the intersection between the intersection plane and each one of the patches of the base-surfaces uses an hibrid numeric algoritm based on a marching method associated with an lattice evaluation algorithm. The generation of blending surfaces is done using the Hermite technique. To make this possible one has to compute the control vectors needed to generate an Hermite surface and, at the same time, guarantee the desirable continuity along the rail-curves. In this work geometric continuty (G 1) is guaranteed. Finally it is presented the prototype of the modeler used to validate the proposed method. The results obtained are presented as well as a comparative analysis with other solutions found in the literature.

Um tópico importante em modelagem geométrica é a definição de objetos que não contenham cantos ou farpas. A geração de superfícies de junção (superfícies que conectam suavemente superfícies distintas) e uma das técnicas utilizadas para solucionar esse tipo de problema. Pode-se abordar a geração de superfícies de junção sob vários aspectos. Neste trabalho, serão estudadas superfícies de junção que conectam suavemente duas outras superfícies distintas (superfícies-base). Sob este enfoque, a geração das superfícies de junção será dividida em três etapas a saber: modelagem das superfícies-base, determinação das curvas de ancoragem e geração das junções propriamente ditas. Curvas de ancoragem são curvas que determinam a forma do contato entre a junção e cada uma das superfícies base. As superfícies-base utilizadas são superfícies compostas modeladas utilizando-se "beta-splines" uniformes. Discussões sobre a melhor maneira de se modelar as mesmas foram consideradas fora do contexto deste trabalho. A determinação das curvas de ancoragem é amplamente discutida. Optou-se por utilizar um piano de corte contra cada uma das superfícies-base para a determinação das curvas de ancoragem. O cálculo da intersecção entre o plano de corte e cada um dos "patches" das superfícies-base e feito utilizando-se um método numérico hibrido baseado em um algoritmo de movimentação associado a um algoritmo de reticulado. A geração das superfícies de junção e feita utilizando-se a técnica de Hermite. Para tanto é preciso que se calculem os vetores de controle necessários a técnica de Hermite de forma que se garanta a continuidade desejada ao longo da curva de contato entre a superfície base e a junção. No caso em questão e garantida continuidade geométrica de primeira ordem (G1). Por fim, apresenta-se protótipo do modelador utilizado para validar o método proposto. São indicadosos resultados obtidos bem como uma analise comparativa com outras soluções semelhantes encontradas na literatura a disposição. Os testes com o prot6tipo foram feitos em um microcomputador com arquitetura compatível com IBM-PC 386 com 640 KBytes de RAM, 20 Mhz, adaptador gráfico VGA e co-processador matemático 80387. O protótipo pode, entretanto, ser utilizado em qualquer microcomputador compatível com IBM-PC que disponha de no mínimo 640 Kbytes de memória RAM. O uso de co-processador matemático e adaptador gráfico EGA ou de major capacidade é aconselhado. / An important topic in geometric modeling is the definition of objects without sharp, corners or edges. A blending surface is one that smoothly connects two given surfaces.It has been a very useful way to define objects without sharp, corners or edges. One can approach the generation of blending surfaces from different points of view. This work deals with blending surfaces that smoothly connect two other surfaces called base-surfaces. According to this point of view the generation of blending surfaces will be divided in 3 steps: base-surfaces modeling, rail curves determination and generation of the blending surfaces. A rail curve is one along which blending and base surfaces meet. The base-surfaces used are composed-surfaces modeled by uniform beta-splines. The problem of modeling these surfaces is beyond the scope of this work. The determination of rail-curves is widely discussed. In order to determine each one of the rail curves, an intersection plane is choosen. The computation of the intersection between the intersection plane and each one of the patches of the base-surfaces uses an hibrid numeric algoritm based on a marching method associated with an lattice evaluation algorithm. The generation of blending surfaces is done using the Hermite technique. To make this possible one has to compute the control vectors needed to generate an Hermite surface and, at the same time, guarantee the desirable continuity along the rail-curves. In this work geometric continuty (G 1) is guaranteed. Finally it is presented the prototype of the modeler used to validate the proposed method. The results obtained are presented as well as a comparative analysis with other solutions found in the literature.

Um tópico importante em modelagem geométrica é a definição de objetos que não contenham cantos ou farpas. A geração de superfícies de junção (superfícies que conectam suavemente superfícies distintas) e uma das técnicas utilizadas para solucionar esse tipo de problema. Pode-se abordar a geração de superfícies de junção sob vários aspectos. Neste trabalho, serão estudadas superfícies de junção que conectam suavemente duas outras superfícies distintas (superfícies-base). Sob este enfoque, a geração das superfícies de junção será dividida em três etapas a saber: modelagem das superfícies-base, determinação das curvas de ancoragem e geração das junções propriamente ditas. Curvas de ancoragem são curvas que determinam a forma do contato entre a junção e cada uma das superfícies base. As superfícies-base utilizadas são superfícies compostas modeladas utilizando-se "beta-splines" uniformes. Discussões sobre a melhor maneira de se modelar as mesmas foram consideradas fora do contexto deste trabalho. A determinação das curvas de ancoragem é amplamente discutida. Optou-se por utilizar um piano de corte contra cada uma das superfícies-base para a determinação das curvas de ancoragem. O cálculo da intersecção entre o plano de corte e cada um dos "patches" das superfícies-base e feito utilizando-se um método numérico hibrido baseado em um algoritmo de movimentação associado a um algoritmo de reticulado. A geração das superfícies de junção e feita utilizando-se a técnica de Hermite. Para tanto é preciso que se calculem os vetores de controle necessários a técnica de Hermite de forma que se garanta a continuidade desejada ao longo da curva de contato entre a superfície base e a junção. No caso em questão e garantida continuidade geométrica de primeira ordem (G1). Por fim, apresenta-se protótipo do modelador utilizado para validar o método proposto. São indicadosos resultados obtidos bem como uma analise comparativa com outras soluções semelhantes encontradas na literatura a disposição. Os testes com o prot6tipo foram feitos em um microcomputador com arquitetura compatível com IBM-PC 386 com 640 KBytes de RAM, 20 Mhz, adaptador gráfico VGA e co-processador matemático 80387. O protótipo pode, entretanto, ser utilizado em qualquer microcomputador compatível com IBM-PC que disponha de no mínimo 640 Kbytes de memória RAM. O uso de co-processador matemático e adaptador gráfico EGA ou de major capacidade é aconselhado. / An important topic in geometric modeling is the definition of objects without sharp, corners or edges. A blending surface is one that smoothly connects two given surfaces.It has been a very useful way to define objects without sharp, corners or edges. One can approach the generation of blending surfaces from different points of view. This work deals with blending surfaces that smoothly connect two other surfaces called base-surfaces. According to this point of view the generation of blending surfaces will be divided in 3 steps: base-surfaces modeling, rail curves determination and generation of the blending surfaces. A rail curve is one along which blending and base surfaces meet. The base-surfaces used are composed-surfaces modeled by uniform beta-splines. The problem of modeling these surfaces is beyond the scope of this work. The determination of rail-curves is widely discussed. In order to determine each one of the rail curves, an intersection plane is choosen. The computation of the intersection between the intersection plane and each one of the patches of the base-surfaces uses an hibrid numeric algoritm based on a marching method associated with an lattice evaluation algorithm. The generation of blending surfaces is done using the Hermite technique. To make this possible one has to compute the control vectors needed to generate an Hermite surface and, at the same time, guarantee the desirable continuity along the rail-curves. In this work geometric continuty (G 1) is guaranteed. Finally it is presented the prototype of the modeler used to validate the proposed method. The results obtained are presented as well as a comparative analysis with other solutions found in the literature.

This work addresses various applications pertaining to the design, modelling and animation of parametric surfaces using elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDE) which are produced via the PDE method. Compared with traditional surface generation techniques, the PDE method is an effective technique that can represent complex three-dimensional (3D) geometries in terms of a relatively small set of parameters. A PDE-based surface can be produced from a set of pre-configured curves that are used as the boundary conditions to solve a number of PDE. An important advantage of using this method is that most of the information required to define a surface is contained at its boundary. Thus, complex surfaces can be computed using only a small set of design parameters. In order to exploit the advantages of this methodology various applications were developed that vary from the interactive design of aircraft configurations to the animation of facial expressions in a computer-human interaction system that utilizes an artificial intelligence (AI) bot for real time conversation. Additional applications of generating cyclic motions for PDE based human character integrated in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) package as well as developing techniques to describe a given mesh geometry by a set of boundary conditions, required to evaluate the PDE method, are presented. Each methodology presents a novel approach for interacting with parametric surfaces obtained by the PDE method. This is due to the several advantages this surface generation technique has to offer. Additionally, each application developed in this thesis focuses on a specific target that delivers efficiently various operations in the design, modelling and animation of such surfaces.

No / The mechanisms involved for compaction of pharmaceutical powders have become a crucial step in the development cycle for robust tablet design with required properties. Compressibility of pharmaceutical materials is measured by a force-displacement relationship which is commonly analysed using a well known method, the Heckel model. This model requires the true density and compacted powder mass value to determine the powder mean yield pressure. In this paper, we present a technique for shape modelling of pharmaceutical tablets based on the use of partial differential equations (PDEs). This work also presents an extended formulation of the PDE method to a higher dimensional space by increasing the number of parameters responsible for describing the surface in order to generate a solid tablet. Furthermore, the volume and the surface area of the parametric cylindrical tablet have been estimated numerically. Finally, the solution of the axisymmetric boundary value problem for a finite cylinder subject to a uniform axial load has been utilised in order to model the displacement components of a compressed PDE-based representation of a tablet. The Heckel plot obtained from the developed model shows that the model is capable of predicting the compaction behaviour of pharmaceutical materials since it fits the experimental data accurately.

This work focuses on generating approximations of complex T-spline surfaces with similar but less complex T-splines. Two approaches to simplifying T-splines are proposed: a bottom-up approach that iteratively refines an over-simple T-spline to approximate a complex one, and a top-down approach that evaluates existing control points for removal in producing an approximations. This thesis develops and compares the two simplification methods, determining the simplification tasks to which each is best suited. In addition, this thesis documents supporting developments made to T-spline research as simplification was developed.