Real-time deformation of detailed geometry based on mappings to a less detailed physical simulation on the GPU

Abstract

Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) can be effectively used to solve physical systems. To use the GPU optimally, the discretization of the physical system is often restricted to a regular grid. When grid values represent spatial positions, a direct visualization can result in a jagged appearance. In this paper we propose to decouple computation and visualization of such systems. We define mappings that enable the deformation of a high-resolution surface based on a physical simulation on a lower resolution uniform grid. More specifically we investigate new approaches for the visualization of a GPU based spring-mass simulation.