Visualization of models in BRL-CAD need not be restricted to viewing static images. With the use of tabinterp and tabsub the task of creating motion picture sequences becomes quite manageable. The result is that models can be viewed from a variety of positions as they move, change, and evolve over time.
The tools discussed represent only one conceptual approach to the problem of specifying frames to be generated for an animation sequence. With the advent of ubiquitous desktop graphics displays, it should be possible to create the sequences using a more visual and interactive approach. Creating tools for this remains an area for further work.
The authors wish to thank Mike Muuss and Phil Dykstra for creating the animation capabilities within rt and mged. The authors also thank Mike Muuss for providing the documentation for tabinterp and tabsub that appears in Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.