Creating deformations and tunnels in a surface using layered geometry with adaptive filtering

Abstract

With this thesis, I present a method for creating footprints and tunnels in a surface through the use of layered geometry. Rather than using a single geometric surface, deformations are created through the interaction of a polygonal object with multiple layered planes. Contrary to common methods such as solely using displacement maps or techniques used in fluid dynamics, none of the layered geometry moves. With adaptive filtering and layered geometry, one can create complex deformations resulting from sliding, digging, and surfacing. Its volumetric nature allows interaction to create overlapping shapes, tunnels, and holes in a surface, while alleviating the ultimate problem of broken geometry.