Human Muscle Modeling using Generalized Cylinders for Volume Consideration

S.K. Semwal, B. Watson, and D.L. McCullough (USA)

Keywords

Biomechanical Modeling, Muscles, Bones, cylindrical, volume preserving.

Abstract

Modeling and animation of the human form has been a long standing research goal in computer graphics. Muscles change shape due to the dynamic interactions of contraction, relaxation and contact. In order to provide real-time animation there must be a balance between the complexity of the methodology and the realism that is achieved. The methodology that will be explored and implemented in this thesis makes use of the cylindrical nature of bones and muscles. This method is generalized cylinders. As will be shown, the properties of generalized cylinders can provide fairly realistic components using simplistic calculation. To model the entire human body is a giant undertaking and is beyond the scope of this paper. Instead the thesis will demonstrate the viability of using generalized cylinders by modeling selected muscles and calculating their volumes. The focus would be the deformation of the muscles in the human leg while it performs four exercises. The modeling of the leg will include its three primary bones and five representative muscles. The skin covering is not included.

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