Plastpose

Plastpose is a term encountered in theoretical discussions at the intersection of polymer science, materials modeling, and computer graphics. It refers to a proposed framework for describing the evolution of a plastic object's shape and internal state as a sequence of discrete configurations, or poses, linked by plastic deformation events. The concept aims to combine ideas from plasticity theory with pose estimation methods used in computer vision and animation.

Origin and scope: The term is not widely standardized and appears in niche papers and commentary to illustrate how to track complex deformation. It builds on classical plasticity models, but emphasizes the representation of intermediate configurations as poses rather than continuous fields.

Methodology: In plastpose, a deforming object is discretized into a mesh or lattice. Each node or element has orientation and internal state variables. A pose graph encodes possible configurations; edges represent admissible plastic transitions, constrained by yield criteria and hardening rules. The evolution is driven by external loads, temperature, and rate effects, updating poses and the graph.

Applications and examples: The framework has been suggested for visual effects and animation to produce realistic plastic deformations, and for exploratory modeling in polymer engineering to study post-processing shapes and residual stresses. It also informs discussions on how to store and compress deformation data.

Limitations: Plastpose remains largely conceptual. It depends on accurate constitutive models, and the discretization choice influences results. There is no single universal standard, and different researchers propose varying pose representations and transition rules.