Computational Vegetation Lab at Purdue - Publications

2026

  1. Pauli, D., Huppenthal, B., Wang, D., Schnable, J., & Benes, B. (2026). Digital twins for plant and crop improvement. Trends in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2026.06.005
  2. Yang, Z., Schwarz, N., Li, B., Michels, D., Benes, B., Pirk, S., & Palubicki, W. (2026). Woodstock: Interactive Modeling of Fungal Wood Decay. ACM Trans. Graph., 45(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/3811376
  3. Vazquez, J., Yang, S., Zhang, Y., Demieville, J., Huppenthal, B., Merchant, N., Popescu, V., Magana, A., Pauli, D., & Benes, B. (2026). VR BioTalk—Hands-Free Visual Analytics of Phenotyping Data Using Natural Conversation. IEEE Access, 14, 75577–75592. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3692426
  4. Lee, J. J., & Benes, B. (2026). A-Occ-Plant: Plant occluded point cloud completion via amodal segmentation. Plant Phenomics, 8(3), 100240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphe.2026.100240
  5. Hadadi, M., Jubery, T. Z., Schnable, P. S., Singh, A., Benes, B., Krishnamurthy, A., & Ganapathysubramanian, B. (2026). FloraForge: Procedural generation of editable and analysis-ready 3D plant geometric models using LLM-assisted template design. Smart Agricultural Technology, 14, 102316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2026.102316
  6. Firoze, A., Uppala, A., Darling, L., Yeh, R. A., Benes, B., Hardiman, B., Fei, S., & Aliaga, D. (2026). Where Are the City Trees? Monitoring Urban Trees across the U.S. Using Generative AI. Communications of the ACM, 69(4), 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1145/3762636

2025

  1. Li, B., Schwarz, N., Palubicki, W., Pirk, S., Michels, D. L., & Benes, B. (2025). Stressful Tree Modeling: Breaking Branches with Strands. Proceedings of the Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference Conference Papers. https://doi.org/10.1145/3721238.3730745
  2. Zhou, X., Li, B., Benes, B., Habib, A., Fei, S., Shao, J., & Pirk, S. (2025). TreeStructor: Forest Reconstruction With Neural Ranking. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 63, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2025.3558312
  3. Davis, J. M., Gaillard, M., Tross, M. C., Shrestha, N., Ostermann, I., Grove, R. J., Li, B., Benes, B., & Schnable, J. C. (2025). 3D Reconstruction Enables High-Throughput Phenotyping and Quantitative Genetic Analysis of Phyllotaxy. Plant Phenomics, 7(1), 100023. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphe.2025.100023
  4. Lee, J. J., Li, B., Beery, S., Huang, J., Fei, S., Yeh, R. A., & Benes, B. (2025). Tree-D Fusion: Simulation-Ready Tree Dataset from Single Images with Diffusion Priors. Computer Vision - ECCV 2024, 439–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72940-9_25
  5. Warner, C., Wu, F., Gazo, R., Benes, B., & Fei, S. (2025). Environmental Sensitivity in AI Tree Bark Detection: Identifying Key Factors for Improving Classification Accuracy. Algorithms, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/a18070417

2024

  1. Li, B., Schwarz, N. A., Pałubicki, W., Pirk, S., & Benes, B. (2024). Interactive Invigoration: Volumetric Modeling of Trees with Strands. ACM Trans. Graph., 43(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/3658206
  2. Lee, J. J., Li, B., & Benes, B. (2024). Latent L-Systems: Transformer-Based Tree Generator. ACM Trans. Graph., 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1145/3627101
  3. Li, Y., Liu, Z., Benes, B., Zhang, X., & Guo, J. (2024). SVDTree: Semantic Voxel Diffusion for Single Image Tree Reconstruction. Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 4692–4702.
  4. Tuggle, C. K., Clarke, J. L., Murdoch, B. M., Lyons, E., Scott, N. M., Benes, B., Campbell, J. D., Chung, H., Daigle, C. L., Choudhury, S. D., Dekkers, J. C. M., Dorea, J. R. R., Ertl, D. S., Feldman, M., Fragomeni, B. O., Fulton, J. E., Guadagno, C. R., Hagen, D. E., Hess, A. S., … Schnable, P. S. (2024). Current challenges and future of agricultural genomes to phenomes in the USA. Genome Biology, 25(8). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-023-03155-w
  5. Zarei, A., Li, B., Schnable, J. C., Lyons, E., Pauli, D., Barnard, K., & Benes, B. (2024). PlantSegNet: 3D point cloud instance segmentation of nearby plant organs with identical semantics. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 221, 108922. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2024.108922
  6. Ostermann, I., Benes, B., Gaillard, M., Li, B., Davis, J., Grove, R., Shrestha, N., Tross, M. C., & Schnable, J. C. (2024). Sorghum segmentation and leaf counting using in silico trained deep neural model. The Plant Phenome Journal, 7(1), e70002. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.70002
  7. Warner, C., Wu, F., Gazo, R., Benes, B., Kong, N., & Fei, S. (2024). CentralBark Image Dataset and Tree Species Classification Using Deep Learning. Algorithms, 17(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/a17050179

2023

  1. Rhizomorph: The Coordinated Function of Shoots and Roots. (2023). ACM Transactions on Graphics, 42(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1145/3592145
    Replicability Stamp https://www.replicabilitystamp.org/#https-github-com-edisonlee0212-rhizomorph
  2. Zhou, X., Li, B., Benes, B., Fei, S., & Pirk, S. (2023). DeepTree: Modeling Trees with Situated Latents. IEEE Transactions on Visualization & Computer Graphics, 01, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2023.3307887
  3. Firoze, A., Wingren, C., Yeh, R. A., Benes, B., & Aliaga, D. (2023). Tree Instance Segmentation With Temporal Contour Graph. Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2193–2202.

2022

  1. Niese, T., Pirk, S., Albrecht, M., Benes, B., & Deussen, O. (2022). Procedural Urban Forestry. ACM Trans. Graph., 41(2). https://doi.org/10.1145/3502220
  2. Firoze, A., Benes, B., & Aliaga, D. (2022). Urban tree generator: spatio-temporal and generative deep learning for urban tree localization and modeling. The Visual Computer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-022-02526-x

2021

  1. Polasek, T., Hrusa, D., Benes, B., & Cadik, M. (2021). ICTree: Automatic Perceptual Metrics for Tree Models. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 40(6), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1145/3478513.3480519
  2. Li, B., Kałużny, J., Klein, J., Michels, D. L., Pałubicki, W., Benes, B., & Pirk, S. (2021). Learning to Reconstruct Botanical Trees from Single Images. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 40(6), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1145/3478513.3480525
  3. Liu, Y., Guo, J., Benes, B., Deussen, O., Zhang, X., & Huang, H. (2021). TreePartNet: Neural Decomposition of Point Clouds for 3D Tree Reconstruction. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 40(6), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1145/3478513.3480486
  4. Ecormier-Nocca, P., Cordonnier, G., Carrez, P., Moigne, A.-marie, Memari, P., Benes, B., & Cani, M.-P. (2021). Authoring Consistent Landscapes with Flora and Fauna. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 40(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/3450626.3459952
  5. Tross, M. C., Gaillard, M., Zweiner, M., Miao, C., Grove, R. J., Li, B., Benes, B., & Schnable, J. C. (2021). 3D reconstruction identifies loci linked to variation in angle of individual sorghum leaves. PeerJ, 9:e12628(1). https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12628
  6. Wu, F., Gazo, R., Benes, B., & Haviarova, E. (2021). Deep BarkID: a portable tree bark identification system by knowledge distillation. European Journal of Forest Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-021-01407-7
  7. Wu, F., Gazo, R., Haviarova, E., & Benes, B. (2021). Wood identification based on longitudinal section images by using deep learning. Wood Science and Technology, 55, 553–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-021-01261-1
  8. Kolmanič, S., Strnad, D., Kohek, Š., Benes, B., Hirst, P., & Žalik, B. (2021). An algorithm for automatic dormant tree pruning. Applied Soft Computing, 99, 106931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2020.106931

2020

  1. Guo, J., Jiang, H., Benes, B., Deussen, O., Zhang, X., Lischinski, D., & Huang, H. (2020). Inverse Procedural Modeling of Branching Structures by Inferring L-Systems. ACM Trans. Graph., 39(5). https://doi.org/10.1145/3394105
  2. Benes, B., Guan, K., Lang, M., Long, S. P., Lynch, J. P., Marshall-Colón, A., Peng, B., Schnable, J., Sweetlove, L. J., & Turk, M. J. (2020). Multiscale computational models can guide experimentation and targeted measurements for crop improvement. The Plant Journal, 103(1), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14722
  3. Strnad, D., Štefan Kohek, Benes, B., Kolmanič, S., & Žalik, B. (2020). A framework for multi-objective optimization of virtual tree pruning based on growth simulation. Expert Systems with Applications, 162, 113792. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2020.113792
  4. Gaillard, M., Miao, C., Schnable, J. C., & Benes, B. (2020). Voxel carving-based 3D reconstruction of sorghum identifies genetic determinants of light interception efficiency. Plant Direct, 4(10), e00255. https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.255
  5. Gaillard, M., Miao, C., Schnable, J., & Benes, B. (2020). Sorghum Segmentation by Skeleton Extraction. In A. Bartoli & A. Fusiello (Eds.), Computer Vision – ECCV 2020 Workshops (pp. 296–311). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/978-3-030-65414-6_21
  6. Gazo, R., Vanek, J., Abdul-Massih, M., & Benes, B. (2020). A fast pith detection for computed tomography scanned hardwood logs. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 170, 105107. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2019.105107

2019

  1. Gaillard, M., Benes, B., Guérin, E., Galin, E., Rohmer, D., & Cani, M.-P. (2019). Dendry: A Procedural Model for Dendritic Patterns. Proceedings of the ACM SIGGRAPH Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games, 16:1–16:9. https://doi.org/10.1145/3306131.3317020

2018

  1. Gazo, R., Wells, L., Krs, V., & Benes, B. (2018). Validation of automated hardwood lumber grading system. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 155, 496–500. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.06.041
  2. Wells, L., Gazo, R., Re, R. D., Krs, V., & Benes, B. (2018). Defect detection performance of automated hardwood lumber grading system. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 155, 487–495. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.09.025

2017

  1. Cordonnier, G., Galin, E., Gain, J., Benes, B., Guérin, E., Peytavie, A., & Cani, M.-P. (2017). Authoring Landscapes by Combining Ecosystem and Terrain Erosion Simulation. ACM Trans. Graph., 36(4), 134:1–134:12. https://doi.org/10.1145/3072959.3073667
  2. Hädrich, T., Benes, B., Deussen, O., & Pirk, S. (2017). Interactive modeling and authoring of climbing plants. Computer Graphics Forum, 36(2), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.13106
    Honorable mention from the Best Papers Committee
  3. Marshall-Colon, A., Long, S. P., Allen, D. K., Allen, G., Beard, D. A., Benes, B., von Caemmerer, S., Christensen, A. J., Cox, D. J., Hart, J. C., Hirst, P. M., Kannan, K., Katz, D. S., Lynch, J. P., Millar, A. J., Panneerselvam, B., Price, N. D., Prusinkiewicz, P., Raila, D., … Zhu, X.-G. (2017). Crops In Silico: Generating Virtual Crops Using an Integrative and Multi-scale Modeling Platform. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, 786. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00786
  4. Fišer, M., Ravi, J., Benes, B., Shi, B., & Hirst, P. (2017). IMapple: a source-sink developmental model for’Golden Delicious’ apple trees. Acta Hortic, 51–60. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1160.8

2016

  1. Pirk, S., Benes, B., Ijiri, T., Li, Y., Deussen, O., Chen, B., & Měch, R. (2016). Modeling Plant Life in Computer Graphics. ACM SIGGRAPH 2016 Courses, 18:1–18:180. https://doi.org/10.1145/2897826.2927332
  2. Kang, H., Fiser, M., Shi, B., Sheibani, F., Hirst, P., & Benes, B. (2016). IMapple - Functional structural model of apple trees. 2016 IEEE International Conference on Functional-Structural Plant Growth Modeling, Simulation, Visualization and Applications (FSPMA), 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1109/FSPMA.2016.7818293

2015

  1. Emilien, A., Vimont, U., Cani, M.-P., Poulin, P., & Benes, B. (2015). WorldBrush: Interactive Example-Based Synthesis of Procedural Virtual Worlds. ACM Trans. Graph., 34(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/2766975
  2. Kratt, J., Spicker, M., Guayaquil, A., Fiser, M., Pirk, S., Deussen, O., Hart, J. C., & Benes, B. (2015). Woodification: User-Controlled Cambial Growth Modeling. Computer Graphics Forum, 34(2), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.12566

2014

  1. Pirk, S., Niese, T., Hädrich, T., Benes, B., & Deussen, O. (2014). Windy Trees: Computing Stress Response for Developmental Tree Models. ACM Trans. Graph., 33(6). https://doi.org/10.1145/2661229.2661252
  2. Šťava, O., Pirk, S., Kratt, J., Chen, B., Měch, R., Deussen, O., & Benes, B. (2014). Inverse Procedural Modelling of Trees. Computer Graphics Forum, 33(6), 118–131. https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.12282

2012

  1. Pirk, S., Stava, O., Kratt, J., Said, M. A. M., Neubert, B., Měch Radomı́r, Benes, B., & Deussen, O. (2012). Plastic Trees: Interactive Self-Adapting Botanical Tree Models. ACM Trans. Graph., 31(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/2185520.2185546

2011

  1. Benes, B., Massih, M. A., Jarvis, P., Aliaga, D. G., & Vanegas, C. A. (2011). Urban Ecosystem Design. Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games, 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1145/1944745.1944773

2010

  1. Št’ava, O., Benes, B., Měch, R., Aliaga, D. G., & Krištof, P. (2010). Inverse Procedural Modeling by Automatic Generation of L-systems. Computer Graphics Forum, 29(2), 665–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8659.2009.01636.x

2009

  1. Benes, B., Andrysco, N., & Št’ava, O. (2009). Interactive Modeling of Virtual Ecosystems. Proceedings of the Fifth Eurographics Conference on Natural Phenomena, 9–16. https://doi.org/10.5555/2381692.2381694

2004

  1. Benes, B., & Guerrero, J. M. S. (2004). Clustering in virtual plant ecosystems. WSCG SHORT Communication Papers Proceedings.

2003

  1. Benes, B., & Cordóba, J. A. (2003). Modeling virtual gardens by autonomous procedural agents. Proceedings of Theory and Practice of Computer Graphics, 2003., 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPCG.2003.1206931
  2. Benes, B., & Espinosa, E. D. (2003). Modeling virtual ecosystems with the proactive guidance of agents. Computer Animation and Social Agents, 2003. 16th International Conference On, 126–131. https://doi.org/10.1109/CASA.2003.1199313
  3. Benes, B., Cordoba, J. A., & Soto, J. M. (2003). Interacting agents with memory in virtual ecosystems. Journal of WSCG.

2002

  1. Beneš, B. (2002). A stable modeling of large plant ecosystems. Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Vision and Graphics, 94–101.
  2. Benes, B., & Millán, E. U. (2002). Virtual Climbing Plants Competing for Space. Computer Animation, 33. https://doi.org/10.1109/CA.2002.1017504

1998

  1. Benes, B. (1998). Skylight approximation for simulation of plant development. Proceedings. 1998 IEEE Conference on Information Visualization. An International Conference on Computer Visualization and Graphics (Cat. No. 98TB100246), 146–150. https://doi.org/10.1109/IV.1998.694212

1997

  1. Benes, B. (1997). Visual Model of Plant Development with Respect to Influence of Light. In D. Thalmann & M. van de Panne (Eds.), Computer Animation and Simulation ’97 (pp. 125–136). Springer Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6874-5_9

1996

  1. Benes, B. (1996). An efficient estimation of light in simulation of plant development. In R. Boulic & G. Hégron (Eds.), Computer Animation and Simulation ’96 (pp. 153–165). Springer Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-7486-9_11