Thick Bezier Curves in OpenGL

Question

Hi all, I am writing a program in java using the jogl opengl bindings. I need to create a bezier curve that varies in thickness along the curve. So far I've only managed a thin bezier curve of single points. I'm pretty sure that this isnt going to be an easy thing to do, but i I have no idea where to even begin looking for the solution. If anyone could point me in the right direction as to how to solve this, it'd be greatly appreciated!

James

Answer 1

Sample the curve and for each sample point compute two points, one on each side of the curve, along the normal line at the sample point and at a distance equal to the desired width at the sample point. This creates a polygon, which you draw as filled.