Sketch-Based Quad Mesh Generation with Controlled Edge Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quad mesh generation methods lack user control over edge flow and singularity placement, leading to suboptimal mesh quality and requiring manual remeshing, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to sketch a coarse curve network, with tools like spine sketching and autocomplete, to generate and edit quad meshes interactively, enabling controlled placement of singularities and edge flow, and supporting arbitrary subdivisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic quad meshing methods are used, then mesh generation speed is improved, but user control over edge flow and singularity placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mesh generation process into automatic meshing for general areas and manual sketching for critical regions. Users can selectively apply sketch-based control to specific regions where edge flow and singularity placement matter, while leaving other areas to automatic algorithms, thus maintaining both speed and control where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables local quality control by allowing users to sketch edge loops and singularities only in specific regions where precise control is required, rather than requiring global manual control. This localized approach maintains productivity in automatic regions while providing ease of operation in critical regions.
2Ease of operation
If manual retopologizing is used, then user control over edge flow and singularity placement is improved, but mesh generation time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial manual action only where necessary. Users perform manual sketching only for regions requiring precise edge flow control, while the rest of the mesh is generated automatically. This partial application of manual control significantly reduces time compared to full manual retopologizing while maintaining sufficient control.
Solution Approach 2:
Users perform preliminary sketching of edge loops and singularities before full mesh generation. This preliminary action defines the critical structure, and then automatic algorithms complete the meshing, avoiding the need for complete manual retopologizing and significantly improving productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If full manual control over every quadrilateral and edge loop is provided, then mesh quality is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential control elements (edge loops and singularities) that truly affect mesh quality, rather than requiring control over every single quadrilateral. This extraction of critical control points maintains mesh quality while dramatically reducing system complexity and the number of parameters users must manage.
Solution Approach 2:
Users perform preliminary placement of singularities and edge loops, which then constrain and guide the automatic mesh generation process. This preliminary action ensures mesh quality through proper structural control while avoiding the complexity of managing individual quadrilateral parameters.
4Productivity
If dense quad meshes are generated, then automatic meshing capability is improved, but fine level control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control authority between automatic and manual modes. Dense quad meshes are generated automatically for regions where fine control is not needed, while sketch-based manual control is applied to specific regions requiring fine level control over edge flow and singularity placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different levels of control quality to different regions. Automatic dense meshing provides sufficient quality for most areas, while localized sketch-based control provides fine level control where needed, optimizing both productivity and ease of operation at appropriate locations.
Data Source
AI summary
System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation, comprising sampling a plurality of points and a plurality of segments of a curve on a surface of a three-dimensional model, storing each sampled point as a respective vertex of a plurality of vertices and each sampled segment as a respective half-edge in a curve network of the model surface, upon determining that a first half-edge and a second half-edge connect two of the plurality of vertices, generating a first halfchain connecting the first half-edge and the second half-edge, wherein each connected vertex comprises either a corner or an open endpoint, and upon determining that three consecutive halfchains form a loop comprising at least three corners, generating a first patch for a space enclosed by the loop, wherein the first patch is represented as a quad mesh with a respective set of vertices, faces, and half-edges.