Virtual Sculpting and Virtual Woodblock Printing as a Tool for Enjoying Creation of 3D Shapes

S. Mizuno¹, M. Okada² and J. Toriwaki³

¹Computer Center, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan
²College of Engineering, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi 487-8501, Japan
³Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
E-mail: mizuno@cc.tut.ac.jp

(Received January 14, 2000; Accepted April 6, 2000)

Keywords: Virtual Sculpting and Printing, Solid Modeling, CSG, Non-Photorealistic Rendering, CG Tool

Abstract. In this paper, we present an interactive design system based on virtual sculpting to create 3D solid objects, with the stress on the aspect of a tool to enjoy creation or manipulation of 3D shapes. In the virtual sculpting system, a user can form a solid object as if carving a workpiece with chisels. A 3D object generated by the system looks like a real wooden sculpture. If using a board as a workpiece, a user can generate a virtual printing woodblock. A user can synthesize a woodblock print from the virtual woodblock mentioned above, a virtual paper sheet, and a printing brush. In this system, the operations of sculpting and printing are similar to the real ones, and still even children can experience creation of complete computer graphics.