Multi-Dimensional Procedural Wave Noise

Abstract

While precise spectral control can be achieved through sparse convolution, corresponding state of the art noise models are typically too expensive for solid noise. We introduce an alternative, wave-based procedural noise model, fast enough to be used in any dimension. We express the noise in the spectral domain and then apply an inverse Fourier transform (FT), requiring the computation of a multidimensional integral. Our contribution is a novel, efficient way to perform this computation, using a sum of precomputed complex-valued hyperplanar wave-functions, oriented in random directions. We show that using suitable wave profiles and combination operators, our model is able to extend to 3D a number of Gaussian and non-Gaussian noises, including Gabor, by-example and Phasor noises, as well as generate novel cellular noises. Our versatile and controllable solid noise model is very compact, a key feature for complex power spectrum and animated noises. We illustrate this through the design of 2D, 3D, and 3D+t materials using color, transparency and style transfer functions.