Bezier Curves

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Bezier Curve
Approximate curve Adds flexibility and intuitive feel in mechanical
design
Credited to P. Bezier; P. De Casteljau also developed independently
It was first used to define sculptured surfaces for automobile bodies in
UNISURF

Only control points (not necessarily only 2 per segment) form the
input, no specification of tangent vectors provides more direct
relation between input (points) and output (curve)
The order of the Bezier is variable (unlike HCC) and depends on the
number of control points, (n+1)
(n+1) number of control points define an nth degree curve (we will
term degree of curve as (k-1)
Bezier curve can be smoother than HCC
S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Cubic Bezier Curve

The Bezier curve is defined in terms of (n+1) control points,
called as control points
These control points form the vertices of the control or Bezier
characteristic polygon

The control or Bezier characteristic polygon uniquely defines

the curve

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Cubic Bezier Curve

Input to Cubic Bezier Curve

Two end points
Two control points
Order of points is important
S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Definition
= (1 )3 0 + 3(1 )2 1 + 3(1 )2 2 + 3 3

=
+

0 (1 )3 0 +

2 (1 )2 2 +

1 (1 )2 1
3

3 3 3

=3

(1 )3

=0

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Matrix Form

x(u ) u 3 u 2

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

1 3 3
3 6 3
u 1
3 3 0

1 0 0

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

1 x0
0 x1
0 x2

0 x3

Some Bezier Curves

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Generic Bezier Curve

=

(1 )

=0

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Characteristics of Bezier Curves

1. Tangents

x'(u 0) n(x1 x o )
x'(u 1) n(xn xn1 )
Tangents at end points are defined by end points and their adjacent points

2. Curvature
Curvatures at end points are defined by end points and their two adjacent
points

3. Order of Points
The curve is symmetric with respect to u and (1-u). That is, reversing the
direction of parametrization does not change the curve shape.

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

Characteristics of Bezier Curves

4. Most influential points
The polynomial has maximum value at u=i/n. i.,e each ith control point is most
influential on the shape of the curve at u=i/n. Eg: A cubic Bezier curve defined
by Po, P1, P2 and P3, these points are most influential at u=0, 1/3, 2/3 and 1.

5. Changing the Shape of Curve

By moving a control point

By providing multiple control points

K=3
K=2

Multiple
control points
are specified
here

K=1

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

10

Characteristics of Bezier Curves

9. Convex Hull
A curve is said to have convex hull property if it entirely lies in its convex hull
defined by its control polygon.
The convex hull of a Bezier curve is the maximum area obtained by joining all
control points to all control points.

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

Example 1

Convex Hull

Example 2

Degree = 3

(Hatched region)

Degree = 3

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

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Characteristics of Bezier Curves

Convex Hull
(Hatched region)
Example 3

Example 4

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

12

de Casteljaus Algorithm
Sub-Dividing Bezier Curves
Step 1: Find the midpoints of the lines joining the original control
vertices. Call them M01, M12, M23
Step 2: Find the midpoints of the lines joining M01, M12 and M12, M23.

Call them M012, M123

Step 3: Find the midpoint of the line joining M012, M123. Call it M0123
The curve with control points P0, M01, M012 and M0123 exactly follows

the original curve from the point with u=0 to the point with u=0.5
The curve with control points M0123 , M123 , M23 and P3 exactly follows
the original curve from the point with u=0.5 to the point with u=1
S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

13

de Casteljaus Algorithm

M12

P1

M012

M0123

P2
M123

M01

M23

P0

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

P3

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

14

de Casteljaus Algorithm

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

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Other Degrees of Bezier Curve

2 points

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

16

Other Degrees of Bezier Curve

3 points

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ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

17

Other Degrees of Bezier Curve

4 points

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

18

Other Degrees of Bezier Curve

5 points

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ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

19

Limitations
When interpolation is required, Bezier curve can not provide
that feature.
There is no local control, only global control is available
When a large number of control points are to be modeled by
a single curve segment, Bezier curve is practically impossible
because the degree of the curve has to be very high, exactly
one less than the number of control points. Moreover, it will
only be local control over the entire portion the curve.

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

20

Have a nice day!

S. Suryakumar, ME, IITH

ME3040/ME5090: Mathematical Elements for Geometrical Modelling

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