Scalar-function-driven editing on point set surfaces

Abstract

Three-dimensional acquisition is an increasingly popular means of creating surface models. As 3D digital photographic and scanning devices produce higher resolution images, acquired geometric data sets grow more complex in terms of the modeled objects' size, geometry, and topology. Point-based geometry is a form of 3D content acquisition popular in graphics and related visual computing areas. Point set surfaces are enjoying a renaissance in modeling and rendering, with many efforts focused on direct rendering techniques and effective modeling mechanisms. We've developed a scalar-field-driven editing paradigm and system for point set surfaces that let users manipulate and sculpt point clouds intuitively and efficiently. The paradigm is primarily based on the representation of versatile, embedded scalar fields associated with any region of the point set surface. After constructing the surface distance field from the point clouds, we incorporate the dynamic implicit volumetric model into the point-based geometry deformation. We've also integrated a haptics interface into our surface-modeling framework.