TexRD is a specialized graphics software, designed to simulate
reaction–diffusion processes and to produce animated random
textures through the underlying mathematical models.
Principles
Complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
chemical reactions between several fluids are
simulated by computer and produce various patterns through a
self-organization
Self-organization, also called spontaneous order in the social sciences, is a process where some form of overall order and disorder, order arises from local interactions between parts of an initially disordered system. The process can be spont ...
process.
Similar
morphogenesis
Morphogenesis (from the Greek ''morphê'' shape and ''genesis'' creation, literally "the generation of form") is the biological process that causes a cell, tissue or organism to develop its shape. It is one of three fundamental aspects of deve ...
phenomena (spontaneous build-up of shapes) are observed in the real life and can account -at least on a qualitative point of view-for the
patterns observed on animal skins such as tigers or zebra, tropical fishes,
sea shells, minerals such as
agate
Agate ( ) is a banded variety of chalcedony. Agate stones are characterized by alternating bands of different colored chalcedony and sometimes include macroscopic quartz. They are common in nature and can be found globally in a large number of d ...
... The software always creates seamless textures. Beyond the classical and well studied reaction–diffusion models such as the
Brusselator, the software also contains new reaction–diffusion equations invented by the author, who worked 4 years as a researcher in this field.
Applications
TexRD was designed at first for graphic designers and
cyber artists.
Seen also as mathematical game, it allows science lovers to create new and original textures because the number of parameter combinations is nearly infinite.
The interest of playing with a texture generator (discovering new patterns) also comes from the fact that many reaction–diffusion patterns cannot be predicted by the theory - except for the simplest models.
They require multiple trials associating chance, observations and attempts to find the rules governing the effects of the various parameters. Such textures produced from computer simulations can be used to create abstract images for postal cards, front pages, bindings, paper bookmarks, wallpapers, as well as new ideas for decoration patterns.
Computer graphics experts also use the textures to cover virtual objects and make them look more realistic (see ray tracing software such as
POV-Ray
The Persistence of Vision Ray Tracer, most commonly acronymed as POV-Ray, is a cross-platform ray-tracing program that generates images from a text-based scene description. It was originally based on DKBTrace, written by David Kirk Buck and Aaro ...
and the example below).
Image:Stones covered by texrd textures 1.jpg, Using reactiondiffusion textures produced with TexRD to cover virtual objects (an example provided with installation files). This simple scene was rendered by POV-Ray software.
History
Luc Decker created the first version of TexRD in October 2002, following some ideas initially developed during his PhD entitled "
Random structure models based on Reaction–Diffusion"
(1999, "Ecole des Mines de Paris", France).
The current version of the software (0.4 beta) was released in July 2003.
Operating systems
English and French versions are available for Windows (all versions).
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...
emulator allows Linux users to run the software without known problem.
Licence
TexRD is free for non-commercial use.
External links
TexRD homepagePOV-Ray homepage
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Texrd
Graphics software