Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata

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dc.contributor.advisorGain, Jamesen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorMarais, Patricken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMazzolini, Ryanen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-20T07:02:09Z
dc.date.available2016-07-20T07:02:09Z
dc.date.issued2016en_ZA
dc.description.abstractProcedural generation is used extensively in the field of computer graphics to automate content generation and speed up development. One particular area often automated is the generation of additional colour and structural detail for existing 3D models. This empowers artists by providing a tool-set that enhances their existing work-ow and saves time. 3D surface structures are traditionally represented by polygon mesh-based models augmented by 2D mapping techniques. These methods can approximate features, such as caves and overhangs, however they are complex and difficult to modify. As an alternative, a grid of voxels can model 3D shapes and surfaces, similar to how 2D pixels form an image. The regular form of voxel-based models is easier to alter, at the cost of additional computational overhead. One technique for generating and altering voxel content is by using Cellular Automata (CA). CAs are able to produce complex structures from simple rules and also easily map to higher dimensions, such as voxel datasets. However, creating CA rule-sets can be difficult and tedious. This is especially true when creating multidimensional CA. In our work we use a grammar system to create surface detail CA. The grammar we develop is similar to formal grammars used in procedural generation, such as L-systems and shape grammars. Our system is composed of three main sections: a model converter, grammar and CA executor. The model converter changes polygon-mesh models to and from a voxel-based model. The grammar provides a simple language to create CA that can consider 3D neighbourhoods and query parameters, such as colour or structure. Finally, the CA executor interprets the produced grammars into surface-oriented CAs. The final output of this system is a polygon-mesh model, altered by the CA, which is usable for graphics applications. We test the system by replicating a number of CA use-cases with our grammar system. From the results, we conclude that our grammar system is capable of creating a wide range of 3D detail CA. However, the high resolution of resulting meshes and slow processing times make the process more suited to o_-line processing and pre-production.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMazzolini, R. (2016). <i>Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20502en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMazzolini, Ryan. <i>"Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20502en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMazzolini, R. 2016. Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mazzolini, Ryan AB - Procedural generation is used extensively in the field of computer graphics to automate content generation and speed up development. One particular area often automated is the generation of additional colour and structural detail for existing 3D models. This empowers artists by providing a tool-set that enhances their existing work-ow and saves time. 3D surface structures are traditionally represented by polygon mesh-based models augmented by 2D mapping techniques. These methods can approximate features, such as caves and overhangs, however they are complex and difficult to modify. As an alternative, a grid of voxels can model 3D shapes and surfaces, similar to how 2D pixels form an image. The regular form of voxel-based models is easier to alter, at the cost of additional computational overhead. One technique for generating and altering voxel content is by using Cellular Automata (CA). CAs are able to produce complex structures from simple rules and also easily map to higher dimensions, such as voxel datasets. However, creating CA rule-sets can be difficult and tedious. This is especially true when creating multidimensional CA. In our work we use a grammar system to create surface detail CA. The grammar we develop is similar to formal grammars used in procedural generation, such as L-systems and shape grammars. Our system is composed of three main sections: a model converter, grammar and CA executor. The model converter changes polygon-mesh models to and from a voxel-based model. The grammar provides a simple language to create CA that can consider 3D neighbourhoods and query parameters, such as colour or structure. Finally, the CA executor interprets the produced grammars into surface-oriented CAs. The final output of this system is a polygon-mesh model, altered by the CA, which is usable for graphics applications. We test the system by replicating a number of CA use-cases with our grammar system. From the results, we conclude that our grammar system is capable of creating a wide range of 3D detail CA. However, the high resolution of resulting meshes and slow processing times make the process more suited to o_-line processing and pre-production. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 T1 - Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata TI - Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20502 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/20502
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMazzolini R. Procedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automata. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Computer Science, 2016 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20502en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Computer Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherComputer Scienceen_ZA
dc.titleProcedurally generating surface detail for 3D models using voxel-based cellular automataen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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