NURBS topology classification

Question

In what sense is it true that a NURBS surface can only have the topology of a plane, cylinder or torus?

For example I can do a NURBS sphere.

Is the sphere homeomorphic to one of the above surfaces?

Answer 1

Before we begin, let us differentiate between two things:

• The shape of a sphere,
• and the topology of a sphere.

A NURBS surface can make the shape of a sphere. In a typical configuration, it will be 'open' at the poles. That is the mathematical function of the surface does not wrap over the pole in that it is not a true sphere (it has the shape of a sphere). Topologically the sphere is in this typical configuration a cylinder.

It is possible to leave the other direction open too in which case it is topologically a plane. Several CAD applications choose this approach. A torus is also possible if you allow a thin no volume sliver at the center of your sphere.

Image 1: Turning cylinder to sphere. Note this is not a topological sphere it is still a cylinder as the top is open (even though infinitesimally small).

Is the sphere homeomorphic to one of the above surfaces?

No, but you can still have a spherical shape even if it does not satisfy the topology condition of mathematics.

Why only 3 topological families?

Simply, a NURBS surface has only 4 possible configurations of wrapping around the parameter space:

• It does not wrap at all. Topology: Plane.
• It wraps around the U direction. Topology: Cylinder.
• It wraps around V direction. Same as above. Topology: Cylinder.
• It wraps around both U and V. Topology: Torus.

A wrap is always periodic so it goes from - direction to + direction. It can not arbitrarily connect (on a mathematical level).