Understanding Splines: Types, Uses, and Applications

A spline is a piece of wood or other material that is used to make a smooth curve or bend in a structure, such as a wooden boat or a furniture leg. It is typically made up of a series of small pieces of wood, called "splines," that are glued together to form the desired shape. The term "spline" can also be used more broadly to refer to any type of flexible connector or joint that allows two or more parts to move smoothly relative to each other.

In computer graphics and CAD software, a spline is a mathematical object that is used to create smooth curves and surfaces. A spline is defined by a set of control points, which determine the shape of the curve or surface. There are several types of splines, including:

* B-spline: A piecewise linear curve that is defined by a set of control points.
* NURBS (Non-uniform rational B-spline): A smooth curve or surface that is defined by a set of control points and weights.
* Catmull-Rom spline: A piecewise cubic curve that is defined by a set of control points and weights.

Splines are commonly used in computer graphics to create smooth curves and surfaces for models, animations, and other visual effects. They can also be used to create smooth transitions between different parts of a model or animation.