Organic labyrinths and mazes

Abstract

This paper addresses the synthesis of labyrinthine and maze structures, which are represented as curves on 2D manifolds. The curves evolve based on a simulation controlled by spatially varying parameters defined by texture maps. We introduce the graphics community to the fascinating area of maze art and present a model for the automatic generation of organic looking labyrinths and mazes. We also present a framework based on regions and patterns for the interactive artistic control of NPR algorithms, such as ours, that evolve in both space and time. In the context of labyrinths, the framework provides the designer with control over both the path complexity and visual aesthetics as the curves evolve. The resulting labyrinths and mazes range from mathematically simple to intricately complex visual structures. Applications of the resulting curves include NPR, difficult to counterfeit imagery, environmental design and architecture, computer games and 1D parameterization of 2D manifolds.