Abstract
This paper presents a technique for representing animal models in terms of a set of axial curves. An object or an animal model is defined as the union of a set of different parts. Each part of the object is represented in an axial space defined by an axial curve-pair - a primary curve and an orientation curve. A hierarchy of axial curve-pairs defines the relative positions and orientations of different parts of the object. Adjusting the axial curve-pairs can modify the shape of the object. Adjusting the axial curve-pairs according to some motion constraints produces different postures of an animal model. This technique is particularly suitable for modeling animals such as fishes and snakes.