Modeling water for computer graphics

Abstract Water motion is a phenomenon the full complexity of which has yet to be realized in simulation. Although a good deal of work has been done in modeling water waves, there remain interesting behaviours which have not been captured in any existing model. The variety of phenomena realizable by water is extensive, including waves, foam, bubbles, and spray. The present work is motivated by the complexity and range of phenomena possible as well as by the frequency with which such phenomena are encountered. Water motion has been extensively studied from a physical perspective. A computational model should take advantage of past work in this area. Computer scientists have incorporated some physics into models of water; however, currently existing models are incomplete. This paper considers the strengths and shortcomings of previous attempts to model water. The work involves the development of an extension and refinement of an existing microscopic model of fluid, and a formalization of some of the results of using this model. Some results of the model have been compared with the predictions due to hydrodynamic theory. Other results have been presented in the context of the situation being simulated, and the discussion hinges on observations of the real situation rather than on theory. In brief, the model displays great potential for simulation of surface waves, spray, and interactions between solid objects and fluid. The experimental work is largely able to substantiate claims as to the accuracy of the model at simulating the underlying physics.