The physical simulation analyses forces internal and external to the cloth. A finite element method is used. The properties and dynamic behaviour of volumetric regions of cloth mesh are simulated at mass points across the surface.
The method allows arbitrary meshes to be turned to cloth, unlike many systems which require mass-spring models with multiple grid patterns.
Our VRML97 like language allows cloth objects to be specified as normal indexed face sets. These are automatically turned into Progressive Cloth Meshes. These are LOD meshes which embed the physical properties required to perform the simulation.
Stability and speed for realtime simulation are of primary concern. Work in these areas is ongoing.
- Internal restoring forces
- Flexional forces (bending)
- Friction with surfaces
- Viscous damping
- Collision response
- Surface motion
