Modelling of Complex Natural Phenomena
Jos Stam
"Everything is approximate, less than approximate, for when more closely
and sharply examined, the most perfect picture is a warty, threadbare
approximation, a dry porridge, a dismal mooncrater landscape. What
arrogance is concealed in perfection. Why struggle for precision, purity,
when they can never be attained. The decay that begins immediately on
completion of the work was now welcome to me."
Jean Arp, On My Way. Poetry and Essays , 1912-1947.
(Background)
Jackson Pollock, Untitled , 1951, Ink on Howell paper.
Intro
The research described on this web page was done while I was a postdoc at
INRIA from October 1995 to June 1996. Essentially I furthered my
the research that I started to work on at the
University of Toronto .
Overview
The use of random processes to model natural phenomena is at the heart of
most of the algorithms described here. This theory allows one to
approximately describe phenomena by aggregate measures. This is well
suited for computer graphics generated illusions since it allows
an animator to control the phenomenon and it provides an automatic
mechanism to generate complex motions and appearances.
Some Results
Ray Tracing in Non-Constant Media
Stochastic Dynamics
Random Caustics
Gaseous Phenomena