Automatic decomposition of 3D solids into contractible pieces using Reeb graphs. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strodthoff, Birgit; Jüttler, Bert
• Is Part Of: Computer aided design. Volume 90(2017)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Object decomposition -- Segmentation -- Genus reduction -- Reeb graphs -- Isogeometric analysis; 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.2017.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-4485

Abstract

Abstract: This work is motivated by the need to generate volumetric spline models for isogeometric analysis. There exist numerous constructions of volumetric spline models that represent contractible solids. We present a novel decomposition algorithm that splits general solids into pieces that can be dealt with by these existing methods. More precisely, we present a method to automatically decompose solid objects in boundary representation into pieces with fewer or no tunnels by cutting them with auxiliary surfaces. The segmentation is guided by a reduced form of the object's boundary and volume Reeb graphs with respect to several Morse functions, the level sets of which define the cutting surfaces. Special attention is paid to the selection of suitable cutting surfaces, where we employ a quality criterion to avoid the creation of badly shaped pieces. Highlights: 3D solids are automatically subdivided into contractible pieces. Segmentation is guided by Reeb graphs with respect to several Morse functions. We use combination of volume and surface Reeb graphs, computed from B-rep model. Cutting surfaces are defined as level sets of Morse functions. Paper restricted to linear Morse functions, which are sufficient for straight tunnels.