Rendering Lines on Curved Surfaces

The visualization of functions over surfaces is a classical application of scientific visualization. Several techniques, such as grid-lines, contours, and smooth shading, can be employed, each with their own advantages. The result of the combined use of those techniques is often disappointing because the lines, drawn in image space, are unrelated to the surface, rendered in object space. A better result can be achieved if the lines are modelled in three dimensions. A model for lines as semi-transparent tape stuck on the surface is presented. Its integration in rendering systems is discussed, and an implementation and results are presented.