University of Manchester
                              The NURBS Library

                            Computer Graphics Unit
                         Manchester Computing Centre

                           David Yip & Terry Hewitt

Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS) have been adopted by a number of 
international standards over recent years: PHIGS PLUS, STEP, CGM Addenda, 
and GKS Review. These groups have identified NURBS as the technology for 
curve and surface representation. The NURBS library is a collection of 
functions and routines to exploit this technology.

The NURBS Library
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The Library provides a number of functions which includes the creation of 
and manipulation of NURBS.

The creation operators produce NURBS representations of standard objects,
e.g., sphere, torus and vase.

The curve and surface manipulation operators consists of a number of 
routines to perform functions such as degree elevation, interpolation, 
extrusion, surface of revolution.

The NURBS Library is available for both UNIX and VAX/VMS systems. The 
Library also contains routines which produce a graphical representation of 
the NURBS using calls to DEC PHIGS. These routines also provide a template 
which can be used to produce the NURBS representation for other graphics 
systems.

Obtaining the NURBS Library and further information
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The NURBS Library is distributed by HENSA (Higher Education National 
Software Archive). Both the UNIX and VAX/VMS versions are available via 
anonymous ftp from unix.hensa.ac.uk (129.12.21.7). If you would like 
further information on the NURBS Library, please contact:

Terry Hewitt, Director, Computer Graphics Unit, Manchester Computing Centre, 
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. 
Tel.: +44 61 275 6095; Fax: +44 (0)61 275 6040; Email: hewitt@cgu.mcc.ac.uk

David Yip, Computer Graphics Unit, Manchester Computing Centre, 
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. 
Tel.: +44 61 275 6048; Fax: +44 (0)61 275 6040; Email: yip@cgu.mcc.ac.uk