Light Distribution Models for Tree Growth Simulation

• Published in: Computer graphics forum Vol. 44; no. 1
• Main Authors: Nauber, Tristan, Mäder, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2025
• Subjects: biological modelling; Botany; Computer graphics; Growth models; Light distribution; Light sources; mesh generation; Modelling; Ray tracing; Simulation; Space colonies; virtual environments
• ISSN: 0167-7055; 1467-8659
• DOI: 10.1111/cgf.15268

The simulation and modelling of tree growth is a complex subject with a long history and an important area of research in both computer graphics and botany. For more than 50 years, new approaches to this topic have been presented frequently, including several aspects to increase realism. To further improve these achievements, we present a compact and robust functional‐structural plant model (FSPM) that is consistent with botanical rules. While we show several extensions to typical approaches, we focus mainly on the distribution of light as a resource in three‐dimensional space. We therefore present four different light distribution models based on ray tracing, space colonization, voxel‐based approaches and bounding volumes. By simulating individual light sources, we were able to create a more specified scene setup for plant simulation than it has been presented in the past. By taking into account such a more accurate distribution of light in the environment, this technique is capable of modelling realistic and diverse tree models. Simulation of tree growth using a combination of approximations to interpret light as a resource for plant metabolism.