Effects of Wind on Virtual Plants in Animation

Algorithm 1

The general algorithm for branch growth and movement.

Input: time 𝑡, branch vector b, and wind velocity w.

Output: branch girth 𝑟_𝑡, branch length 𝑙_𝑡, and branch growth angle 𝛼_𝑡, all at time 𝑡.

  Set the wind growth factor (see (6)).

  Set the branch radius (see (7)).

  Set the branch length (see (8)).

  If 𝑙_𝑡≥𝑙_max, then 𝑙_𝑡=𝑙_max.

  Set the growth angle (see (9)).

  Determine the axis of rotation for the branch as 𝐮=𝐛×𝐰.

  Rotate the branch around axis 𝐮 according to the growth angle 𝛼_𝑡.

  Additionally rotate the branch around axis 𝐮 according to wind velocity w (1).