A survey of interactive mesh-cutting techniques and a new method for implementing generalized interactive mesh cutting using virtual tools

In our experience, mesh-cutting methods can be distinguished by how their solutions address the following major issues: definition of the cut path, primitive removal and re-meshing, number of new primitives created, when re-meshing is performed, and representation of the cutting tool. Many researches have developed schemes for interactive mesh cutting with the goals of reducing the number of new primitives created, creating new primitives with good aspect ratios, avoiding a disconnected mesh structure between primitives in the cut path, and representing the path traversed by the tool as accurately as possible. The goal of this paper is to explain how, by using a very simple framework, one can build a generalized cutting scheme. This method allows for any arbitrary cut to be made within a virtual object, and can simulate cutting surface, layered surface or tetrahedral objects using a virtual scalpel, scissors, or loop cautery tool. This method has been implemented in a real-time, haptic-rate surgical simulation system allowing arbitrary cuts to be made on high-resolution patient-specific models. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.