Despite the resources devoted to computer graphics technology over the last 40 years,
there is still a need to increase the realism with which flexible materials are simulated.
However, to date reported methods are restricted in their application by their use of
two-dimensional structures and implicit integration methods that lend themselves to
modelling cloth-like sheets but not stiffer, thicker materials in which bending moments
play a significant role.
This thesis presents a real-time, computationally efficient environment for simulations
of sheet materials. The approach described differs from other techniques principally
through its novel use of multilayer sheet structures. In addition to more accurately
modelling bending moment effects, it also allows the effects of increased temperature
within the environment to be simulated. Limitations of this approach include the
increased difficulties of calibrating a realistic and stable simulation compared to
implicit based methods.
A series of experiments are conducted to establish the effectiveness of the technique,
evaluating the suitability of different integration methods, sheet structures, and
simulation parameters, before conducting a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) based
evaluation to establish the effectiveness with which the technique can produce credible
simulations. These results are also compared against a system that utilises an
established method for sheet simulation and a hybrid solution that combines the use of
3D (i.e. multilayer) lattice structures with the recognised sheet simulation approach.
The results suggest that the use of a three-dimensional structure does provide a level of
enhanced realism when simulating stiff laminar materials although the best overall
results were achieved through the use of the hybrid model
