Книга: Bezier curve: Numerical analysis, Computer graphics, Bezier surface, Automobile, Numerical stability, Inkscape, Adobe Photoshop, Raster graphics, GIMP, ... Expression Blend, Blender (software)

In the mathematical field of numerical analysis, a Bezier curve is a parametric curve important in computer graphics and related fields. Generalizations of Bezier curves to higher dimensions are called Bezier surfaces, of which the Bezier triangle is a special case. Bezier curves were widely publicized in 1962 by the French engineer Pierre Bezier, who used them to design automobile bodies. The curves were first developed in 1959 by Paul de Casteljau using de Casteljau's algorithm, a numerically stable method to evaluate Bezier curves. In vector graphics, Bezier curves are an important tool used to model smooth curves that can be scaled indefinitely. 'Paths,' as they are commonly referred to in image manipulation programs such as Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and GIMP are combinations of Bezier curves patched together. Paths are not bound by the limits of rasterized images and are intuitive to modify. Bezier curves are also used in animation as a tool to control motion in applications such as Adobe Flash, Adobe After Effects, Microsoft Expression Blend, Blender, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds max.