Curves:

Curves are used to draw a wireframe model, which consists of points and curves;
the curves are utilized to generate surfaces by performing parametric
transformations on them. A curve can be as simple as a line or as complex as a B-
spline. In general, curves can be classified as follows:

Analytical Curves: This type of curve can be represented by a simple

mathematical equation, such as, a circle or an ellipse. They have a fixed form and
cannot be modified to achieve a shape that violates the mathematical equations.

Interpolated curves: An interpolated curve is drawn by interpolating the given

data points and has a fixed form, dictated by the given data points. These curves
have some limited flexibility in shape creation, dictated by the data points.

Approximated Curves: These curves provide the most flexibility in drawing curves
of very complex shapes. The model of a curved automobile fender can be easily
created with the help of approximated curves and surfaces.

NURBS stands for non uniform rational basis spline comes under the category of
synthetic curves. This is a type of mathematical model that is used to create curves
and surfaces in computer graphics. These are particularly useful when creating
freeform shapes. Basically the NURB will take two parameters and map them into
3D space. Control points are needed on the surface. Most of the surface editing is
done through the control points. Several NURB patches can be combined together
to form a construction. The boundaries of the patches are invisible, but together the
hull of the ship is formed or a car panel. These curves are popular for engineering
and CAD but used less frequently for computer games and films. For animation
subdivision surfaces are preferred. Most of the NURBS uses Initial Graphics
Exchange Specification (IGES) format.

Software using NURBS

Maxsurf (Direct Free form surfaces)

Rhinoceros

Maxsurf and Hydrolink support 3D NURBS data export via IGES, IMSA NURBS, Fastship,
and the Rhino Open NURBS *3dm format.
Mathematical Expression of NURBS:

Using the definitions of the basis functions , a NURBS curve takes the following form:[8]

In this, is the number of control points and are the corresponding weights. The
denominator is a normalizing factor that evaluates to one if all weights are one. This can be seen
from the partition of unity property of the basis functions. It is customary to write this as

in which the functions

are known as the rational basis functions.

General form of a NURBS surface: A NURBS surface is obtained as the tensor product of two
NURBS curves, thus using two independent parameters and (with indices and
respectively):[8]

with

as rational basis functions.

Characteristics of NURBS
NURBS implementation in Real world

Engineers first used NURBS to design car bodies, aerospace exterior panels and ship
hulls, as NURBS made it possible to exactly create the needed curved surfaces. The
two pioneers of NURBS were from the car industry and worked for Citroen and
Renault. NURBS did not start to be used with computer graphics until the early
1990s. Today most computer graphic programs will use NURBS technology. NURBS
make it possible to create surfaces and curves in compact form.

For example when we design hull of a Submarine we composed several NURBS

Surfaces fitted together in such a way that boundaries are invisible. We have
position continuity C0, Tangential continuity C1 and Curvature continuity C2.If
connection in different NURBS patches connect with C2 continuity then the surface is
smooth.

Advantages of NURBS:

Serve as a genuine generalizations of non-rational B-spline forms as well as rational

and non-rational Bezier curves and surfaces

Offer a common mathematical form for representing both standard analytic

shapes (conics, quadratics, surface of revolution, etc) and free-from curves and
surfaces precisely. B-splines can only approximate conic curves.

Provide the flexibility to design a large variety of shapes by using control points
and weights. Increasing the weights has the effect of drawing a curve toward the
control point.

Have a powerful tool kit (knot insertion/refinement/removal, degree elevation,

splitting, etc.
 Invariant under scaling, rotation, translation, and projections.

Reasonably fast and computationally stable.

Clear geometric interpretations

Non-uniform rational Basis spline (NURBS) is a mathematical model commonly

used in computer graphics for generating and representing curves and surfaces. It
offers great flexibility and precision for handling both analytic (surfaces defined by
common mathematical formulae) and modeled shapes.

In Aerospace design and marine design we made freeform surfaces on those we are
using nurbs.

Hull design in submarines and aeroplanes we are using Nurbs for free form surfaces.

NURBS

Non-Uniform Rational B-spline curve

Software using NURBS

Maxsurf (Direct Free form surfaces)

Rhinoceros

Maxsurf and Hydrolink support 3D NURBS data export via IGES, IMSA NURBS, Fastship,
and the Rhino Open NURBS *3dm format.