splineIn computer graphics, a spline is a curve that connects two or more specific points, or that is defined by two or more points. The term canalso refer to the mathematical equation that defines such a curve. Consider the set of points in the illustration below.It is easy toenvision a curve (red) that approximately connects the four points (blue).In theold days of mechanical drafting, a flexible metal or wooden strip (called a spline,and the term from which the present term derives) was used to construct approximate graphssuch as this. 
A computer can be used to test various curves, having known formulas, foran optimal "fit" for any finite set of points.In the example shown here,a near-perfect fit exists, and the curve has a relatively simple formula. Not all splines are this straightforward.But in theory, at least one spline curve can befound that approximates a continuous graph for any finite set of points.
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| Last updated on:
May 07, 2008 |
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