Computer-generated pen-and-ink illustration of trees

Abstract

We present a method for automatically rendering pen-and-ink illustrations of trees. A given 3-d tree model is illustrated by the tree skeleton and a visual representation of the foliage using abstract drawing primitives. Depth discontinuities are used to determine what parts of the primitives are to be drawn; a hybrid pixel-based and analytical algorithm allows us to deal efficiently with the complex geometric data. Using the proposed method we are able to generate illustrations with different drawing styles and levels of abstraction. The illustrations generated are spatial coherent, enabling us to create animations of sketched environments. Applications of our results are found in architecture, animation and landscaping.