The computer modelling of fallen snow ...

• Main Author: Fearing, Paul
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0051217; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0051217

One of nature's greatest beauties is the way fresh snow covers the world in a perfect blanket of crystalline white. Snow replaces sharp angles with gentle curves, and clings to surfaces to form ghostly silhouettes. It is said the Inuit have 50 different words for snow, yet even they can be left speechless, as snow is one of the most complex natural materials in existence. This research presents a new model of visual snow accumulation for computer graphics. We are primarily concerned with creating and simulating fallen snow (not falling snow - an important distinction), with our ultimate goal to produce view-independent, static, 3D snow surface models that can be used in artistic and scientific visualisation, film, and advertising. Our contribution is divided into two major components: snow placement and snow stability. Each are essential for modelling the appearance of a thick layer of snowfall on the ground. Snow placement requires us to determine how much snow falls upon the scene, and where it ...