Interactive design exploration for constrained meshes. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deng, Bailin; Bouaziz, Sofien; Deuss, Mario; Kaspar, Alexandre; Schwartzburg, Yuliy; Pauly, Mark
• Is Part Of: Computer aided design. Volume 61(2015)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Architectural geometry -- Design exploration -- Fabrication-aware design -- Constraint-based modeling; Computer-aided design -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Computer graphics -- Periodicals; Conception technique -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Infographie -- Périodiques; Computer graphics; Engineering design -- Data processing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.00420285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cad.2014.01.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-4485

Abstract

Abstract: In architectural design, surface shapes are commonly subject to geometric constraints imposed by material, fabrication or assembly. Rationalization algorithms can convert a freeform design into a form feasible for production, but often require design modifications that might not comply with the design intent. In addition, they only offer limited support for exploring alternative feasible shapes, due to the high complexity of the optimization algorithm. We address these shortcomings and present a computational framework for interactive shape exploration of discrete geometric structures in the context of freeform architectural design. Our method is formulated as a mesh optimization subject to shape constraints. Our formulation can enforce soft constraints and hard constraints at the same time, and handles equality constraints and inequality constraints in a unified way. We propose a novel numerical solver that splits the optimization into a sequence of simple subproblems that can be solved efficiently and accurately. Based on this algorithm, we develop a system that allows the user to explore designs satisfying geometric constraints. Our system offers full control over the exploration process, by providing direct access to the specification of the design space. At the same time, the complexity of the underlying optimization is hidden from the user, who communicates with the system through intuitive interfaces. Highlights: A general optimization framework for deforming meshes under constraints. Soft constraints and hard constraints are handled in a unified way. An efficient parallel solver suitable for interactive applications. A system for exploring the feasible shapes of constrained meshes in real time.