We present a novel algorithm that simulates ice formation. Motivated by the physical process of ice growth, we develop a novel hybrid algorithm by synthesizing three techniques: diffusion limited aggregation, phase field methods, and stable fluid solvers. Each technique maps to one of the three stages of solidification. The visual realism of the resulting algorithm appears to surpass that of each technique alone, particularly in animations of freezing. In addition, we present a faster, simplified phase field method, as well as a unified parameterization that enables artistic manipulation of the simulation. We illustrate the results on arbitrary 3D surfaces.

• A Hybrid Algorithm for Modeling Ice Formation [PDF]
  To appear in Proc. ACM SIGGRAPH / Eurographics Symposium on Computer Animation 2004
• Quicktime Video [MPEG4]