Computer Assisted Generation of Bas- and High-Reliefs

Introduction

In this project we have analyzed the bas-relief and high-relief sculpting techniques in a computer graphics perspective, and we devised an analytical interpretation of the laws ruling the elevation of figures.
These results have been then exploited to introduce some techniques to automatically generate 3D bas- and high-reliefs starting from 3D surface models.
Therefore, in this work we try to broaden the domain of Visual Computing by introducing a new artistic medium: the automatic generation of bas- or high-reliefs. A simple law has been proposed, which relates the elevation of a bas-relief as a function of the distance of the projected object.
Our technique can be used to generate models of bas- or high-reliefs starting from a 3D scene, following either an image-precision approach based on the use of the Z-buffer or an object-precision approach based on the adoption of a visible surface detection algorithm.

Papers

Software download, Tutorial, and Images

Basrelief 1.0 (for Silycon Graphics platforms) can be obtained free of charge at the downloads page.

An html pictorial tutorial on the use of the software for the generation of High and Bas Reliefs can be browsed by clicking here.

Sample images of the High and Bas Reliefs obtained with our software are shown here.