CG Representation of Wood Aging with Distortion, Cracking and Erosion

Materials exposed to the elements change in appearance because of aging. Because wood is an organic substance, cracks and the surface erosion occur easily. To produce realistic computer graphic images, we need simulate the aging phenomenon also. Here, we propose a visual simulation of the distortion, cracking, and erosion of wood. In this method, wood is represented by a tetrahedral mesh. By setting semi-physical variables at each vertex in this mesh, a visual simulation of wood aging can be accomplished. The surface of the wood is defined by values assigned to the superficial tetrahedral mesh vertices. Changes in the surface are achieved by value changes. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by applications on a plank and shapes such as a bunny and an armadillo statue.