An interactive digital design system for corn modeling is presented in this paper. The
system is designed and developed based on the growth model of corn, thus the digital
design for corn is suitable for biological and physiological characteristics according to the
natural growth process of corn. The framework is supported by the agricultural knowledge
model in steps: knowledge model, mathematical model, geometric model and display
model. Specially, a template-based method is implemented for leaf modeling. The system is
composed of several key function modules: computer graphic design, template, geometric
modeling, database support, data processing and graphic–user interface, and developed by
C++program language based on OpenGL graphic library. The main functions of this system
include plant type design, organs of corn model design, plant model design, corn colony
design, display of colony and calculation of light distribution in the plant canopy layer. As
an interactive digital design tool for corn modeling, the system provides a convenient way
for rapid three-dimensional data acquisition and construction.
© 2009 Elsevier