An equivalent parameter geometric shape representation using independent coordinates of cubic Bézier control points

Abstract Bézier surface has been commonly applied to represent the complex geometric shape. Generally, all control points are dealt with by the same blending functions, regardless of the effect of independent coordinate. It causes to lack the modeling flexibility. Therefore, this paper proposes an equivalent parameter geometric shape representation method using the independent coordinates of control points. Since the coordinate components of control points are independent, the geometric modeling becomes more flexible. Firstly, a general Bézier curve is described in detail. Related expression is brought out in the form of independent coordinates by introducing two parameters. Then, their geometric meanings are analyzed in detail. Since both parameters are independent to parametric variables u and v, Bézier curve possess the same interval in the discrete parametric space, namely equivalent parameter. Next, a bicubic Bézier subsurface patch representation is discussed, including regular and non-regular subsurface patch. A general surface expression is given out in the form of independent coordinates, as well as the parameter structure and the geometric transformations. Finally, an example of ‘Bézier tree branch’ is constructed by using the proposed method. Results shows that the proposed method is feasible and reasonable.