The Z-map is a surface representation method which has z-values of the surface at predefined grid points on the xy-plane. Proposed in this thesis are a Z-map surface offsetting algorithm and Z-map surface blending schemes.
In geometric modelling, surface offsetting is a key operation is cutter path generation and surface blending. The proposed algorithm is very robust and its average time complexity is measured as 0(r).
Blending may be divided into constant radius blending and variable radius blending. Constant radius blend surface is obtained by an "upward offsetting" followed by a "downward offsetting" (or vice versa). Conceptually, variable radius blends can be constructed by simulating the rolling-ball action while changing the ball radius. The proposed variable radius blending algorithm is implemented by using the rolling-ball concept.
