Material-Preserving Progressive Mesh Using Geometry and Topology Simplification

Abstract

Level of detail (VOD)modeling or mesh reduction has been found useful in interactive walkthrough applications. Previous solutions in general employ either geometry or topology simplification, each alone has its own strength. Progressive meshing techniques based on edge or triangle collapsing have been recognized useful in continuous LOD, progressive refinement, and progressive transmision. We present a mesh reduction scheme that combines geometry and topology simplification, and produces a progressive mesh which generally has more than three vertices collapsed between two adjacent levels. The method also preserves the color discontinuity, which is perceptually important: but has been less studied in the literature.