Multiresolution Feature Extraction from Unstructured Meshes

We present a framework to extract mesh features from unstructured two-manifold surfaces. Our method computes a collection of piecewise linear curves describing the salient features of surfaces, such as edges and ridge lines. We extend these basic techniques to a multiresolution setting which improves the quality of the results and accelerates the extraction process. The framework is semiautomatic, that is, the user is required to input a few control parameters and to select the operators to be applied to the input surface. Our mesh feature extraction algorithm can be used as a preprocessor for a variety of applications in geometric modeling including mesh fairing and subdivision. CR Descriptors: Surface Representations, Geometric Modeling, Triangle Decimation, Multiresolution Models, Feature Extraction.