Self-organizing tree models for image synthesis

Authors: Wojciech Palubicki, Kipp Horel, Steven Longay, Adam Runions, Brendan Lane, Radomír Měch, Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz

Abstract

We present a method for generating realistic models of temperate-climate trees and shrubs. This method is based on the biological hypothesis that the form of a developing tree emerges from a self-organizing process dominated by the competition of buds and branches for light or space, and regulated by internal signaling mechanisms. Simulations of this process robustly generate a wide range of realistic trees and bushes. The generated forms can be controlled with a variety of interactive techniques, including procedural brushes, sketching, and editing operations such as pruning and bending of branches. We illustrate the usefulness and versatility of the proposed method with diverse tree models, forest scenes, animations of tree development, and examples of combined interactive-procedural tree modeling.

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@article{Palubicki:2009:SelfOrganizingTreeModels,
  author    = {W. Palubicki, K. Horel, S. Longay, A. Runions, B. Lane, R. Měch, P. Prusinkiewicz},
  title     = {Self-organizing tree models for image synthesis},
  journal   = {ACM Transactions on Graphics},
  year      = {2009},
  volume    = {28},
  number    = {3},
  pages     = {58:1--10},
  doi       = {10.1145/1531326.1531364},
  publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  address   = {New York, NY, USA}
}