Editable Feature Curves for 3D Mesh Model Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex 3D models with many surfaces are difficult to edit and manipulate due to cluttered displays, as conventional low-level representations lack high-level generation information, making it hard for users to intuitively modify specific features.
Innovation Solution
The method involves extracting and using editable feature curves from a 3D model's low-level, hierarchically flat format, which represent the model's distinguishing characteristics, allowing users to modify the model by changing curve constraints, and reconstructing the model from these curves without needing mesh connectivity information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a low-level, hierarchically flat format is used to represent a 3D model, then storage efficiency and data structure simplicity are improved, but the ability to intuitively edit and manipulate the model deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D model representation into two distinct parts: a low-level hierarchically flat format for efficient storage and a high-level feature curve representation for intuitive editing. The feature curves are extracted from the mesh and serve as independent, editable entities that represent the essential shape characteristics, allowing users to modify the model by editing these curves rather than individual vertices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts high-level generation information in the form of feature curves from the low-level mesh representation. These feature curves capture the essential shape characteristics and can be independently manipulated, while the original mesh serves as a reference. This extraction allows the system to maintain storage efficiency while providing an intuitive editing interface through the extracted feature curves.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of surfaces in a 3D model is increased to express more realistic detail, then the realism and detail of the model are improved, but the ease of interacting with and editing the model deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts feature curves from the detailed mesh representation, isolating the essential shape information from the complex vertex and surface data. These feature curves serve as simplified handles that represent the model's distinguishing characteristics, allowing users to interact with and edit the model at a high level without being overwhelmed by the underlying complexity of hundreds or thousands of surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the model representation into a detailed mesh component (maintaining realism) and a simplified feature curve component (providing ease of interaction). Users can edit the feature curves to modify the model's appearance while the system automatically maintains the detailed mesh structure, thus preserving both realism and ease of editing simultaneously.
3Quantity of substance
If a low-level vertex position representation is used, then storage efficiency is improved, but the ability to accurately represent and edit specific regions of the model deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts feature curves from the vertex position data, identifying and isolating the essential shape-defining characteristics. These feature curves provide an accurate representation of specific regions and overall model geometry, enabling precise editing of particular areas while maintaining storage efficiency through the simplified curve representation rather than storing all individual vertex positions.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for creating editable feature curves for a multi-dimensional model represented by a tessellated mesh are described. A mesh representation of a multi-dimensional model may not support intuitive modification of the model. The mesh representing the multi-dimensional model may be analyzed to extract feature curves that define the characteristics of the multi-dimensional model. Such feature curves may provide an intuitive mechanism for modifying the multi-dimensional model. The model may be modified by changing the constraints of the feature curves defining the model's characteristics. For example, a constraint may be modified to change the angle of the surface on either side of a location on a feature curve. A compressed representation of a multi-dimensional model may include the feature curves that define the shape of multi-dimensional model and a set of boundary curves that represent disjoint regions of the multi-dimensional model.