Triangular mesh decimation and undecimation for engineering data modelling
Modeliranje inženirskih podatkov s poenostavljanjem in rekonstrukcijo trikotniških mrež

english

2002

volume 32, issue 3

Strokovno društvo za mikroelektroniko, elektronske sestavne dele in materiale

Triangular mesh decimation is the process that uses local operations on geometry and topology to reduce the number of triangles in a triangle mesh. Triangular meshes are used in many engineering applications where simple interpolation of discrete data replaces continuous and complex model of reality. Furthermore, triangular meshes are standard input to numerical analysis tools based on Finite Element Method. Manipulation with large triangular meshes is a bottleneck in engineering applications hence appropriate simplications are needed. Apart from intuitive manual techniques, mesh decimation process is an attractive alternative providing optimal computer based solutions. The paper presents a fast algorithm for decimation of triangular meshes using vertex elimination approach. To speed-up the search for the vertex to be removed, a hash table is applied. Presented solution runs in linear time and is suitable for different applications in practice. Its usefulness is increased by an introduction of an undecimation, i.e. a reverse process restoring gradually the initial triangular mesh. An illustrative example from the analysis of a power line electric field is given.

18.12.2015