Stylistic control of ocean water simulations

Abstract

This thesis presents a new method for controlling the look of an ocean water simulation for the purpose of creating cartoon-styled fluid animations. Two popular techniques to simulate fluid, a statistical height field method via the Fast Fourier Transform and the Stable Fluid method for dynamic effects, are connected smoothly via a blend domain, thus allowing a height field to drive a physical simulation. In addition, the height field can be stylized by utilizing a keyframing technique on wave amplitudes defined in the Fourier domain, allowing for creative control of the fluid’s surface. Such stylized height fields therefore can be simulated to exhibit natural fluid motion as well as to produce dynamic effects such as breaking waves that were previously unattainable in common fluid pipelines.