Feature-Based Mesh Simplification With Quadric Error Metric Using A Line Simplification Algorithm

Abstract

Mesh simplification is an important task in Computer Graphics due to the ever increasing complexity of polygonal geometric models. Specifically in real-time rendering, there is a necessity that these models, which can be acquired through 3D scanning or through artistic conception, have to be simplified or optimized to be rendered on today's hardware while losing as little detail as possible. This thesis proposes a mesh simplification algorithm that works by identifying and simplifying features. Then it simplifies the remaining mesh with the simplified features frozen. The algorithm is called Quadric Error with Feature Curves (QEFC). Quadric Error with Feature Curves works as a tool that allows the user to interactively select a percentage of the most important points of the feature curves to be preserved along with the points determined by the Quadric Error Metric algorithm.