Model repair and editing tools

With the declining production cost and improvement of scanning technology, three-dimensional model acquisition systems are rapidly becoming more affordable. At the same time, personal computers with graphics hardware capable of displaying complex 3D models have become inexpensive enough to be available to a large population. As a result, there is, potentially, an opportunity to consider new virtual reality uses from areas as diverse as cultural heritage exploration and retail sales applications that will allow people to view associated large classes of realistic 3D objects on home computers and media devices. Although there are many physical techniques for acquiring 3D data, including laser scanners, CT or MRI scans, the basic pipeline of operations (Figure 1.1) lacks a sufficient set of tools to take the acquired data and produce a usable 3D model. This dissertation proposes a set of efficient and robust 3D data reconstruction and editing tools for such a pipeline. We look at the fundamental problems of range scan data completion, modeling, and parameterization. We propose a new cross-parameterization method for efficient calculation of a low-distortion bijective mapping between models. Recent research in digital geometry processing suggests multiple new applications for such a mapping, including pair-wise model editing [11] transferring texture and surface properties (BRDFs, normal maps, etc) [61], and fitting template meshes to multiple data sets [7, 55]. We also extend our cross-parameterization technique to support models with gaps and holes. This allows us to develop a new and robust method for template-based range scan data completion. One of the most significant obstacles in computer graphics is providing easy-to-use tools for creating and editing detailed 3D models. To this end, we present a new set of tools with which non-expert user can create detailed geometric models quickly and easily. In particular, we propose a new modeling system for creating new, original models by mixing and matching parts of pre-existing models. In this way, we eliminate the need for a user to perform complex geometric operations, and thereby reduce the modeling process to that of part selection. This dissertation also proposes a new technique for image-based modeling that allows a user to easily transform a sketch or picture into a 3D model using a 3D template model. The 3D template provides the geometric detail that cannot be inferred from an image alone. This allows the user to create detailed geometric models from pictures alone. We also introduce a real-time editing algorithm that allows the creation of new models through the deformation of existing ones. Our proposed editing algorithm has applications in such common geometric operations as mesh deformation, morphing, and blending. Thus, we propose contributions to the model repair and editing pipeline that simplifies the task of creating and repairing detailed 3D models.Science, Faculty ofComputer Science, Department ofGraduat