Similarity Detection for Free-Form Parametric Models

International audienceIn this article, we propose a framework for detecting local similarities in free-form parametric models, in particular on B-Splines or NURBS based B-reps: patches similar up to an approximated isometry are identified. Many recent articles have tackled similarity detection on 3D objects, in particular on 3D meshes. The parametric B-splines, or NURBS models are standard in the CAD (Computer Aided Design) industry, and similarity detection opens the door to interesting applications in this domain, such as model editing, objects comparison or efficient coding. Our contributions are twofold: we adapt the current technique called votes transformation space for parametric surfaces and we improve the identification of isometries. First, an orientation technique independent of the parameterization permits to identify direct versus indirect transformations. Second, the validation step is generalized to extend to the whole B-rep. Then, by classifying the isometries according to their fixed points, we simplify the clustering step. We also apply an unsupervised spectral clustering method which improves the results but also automatically estimates the number of clusters

Unstructured Grid Generation Techniques and Software

The Workshop on Unstructured Grid Generation Techniques and Software was conducted for NASA to assess its unstructured grid activities, improve the coordination among NASA centers, and promote technology transfer to industry. The proceedings represent contributions from Ames, Langley, and Lewis Research Centers, and the Johnson and Marshall Space Flight Centers. This report is a compilation of the presentations made at the workshop

Semi-Automated DIRSIG Scene Modeling from 3D LIDAR and Passive Imaging Sources

The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model is an established, first-principles based scene simulation tool that produces synthetic multispectral and hyperspectral images from the visible to long wave infrared (0.4 to 20 microns). Over the last few years, significant enhancements such as spectral polarimetric and active Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) models have also been incorporated into the software, providing an extremely powerful tool for algorithm testing and sensor evaluation. However, the extensive time required to create large-scale scenes has limited DIRSIG’s ability to generate scenes “on demand.” To date, scene generation has been a laborious, time-intensive process, as the terrain model, CAD objects and background maps have to be created and attributed manually. To shorten the time required for this process, we are initiating a research effort that aims to reduce the man-in-the-loop requirements for several aspects of synthetic hyperspectral scene construction. Through a fusion of 3D LIDAR data with passive imagery, we are working to semi-automate several of the required tasks in the DIRSIG scene creation process. Additionally, many of the remaining tasks will also realize a shortened implementation time through this application of multi-modal imagery. This paper reports on the progress made thus far in achieving these objectives

Similarités dans des Modèles BRep Paramétriques : Détection et Applications

Dans cette thèse, nous identifions et exploitons des similarités partielles dans des objets 3D pour répondre à des besoins courants du domaine de la Conception Assistée par Ordinateur (CAO). De nouvelles méthodes sont introduites, d'une part pour détecter les similarités partielles, d'autre part pour utiliser ces similarités dans des applications spécifiques telles que l'édition de forme, la compression et l'indexation d'objets 3D. Grâce au développement des applications de la modélisation géométrique, ces modèles sont de plus en plus nombreux et sont disponibles à travers plusieurs modalités. Pour augmenter la productivité dans la création de tels objets virtuels, la réutilisation et l'adaptation des modèles existants est un choix prioritaire. Cela exige donc des méthodes facilitant le stockage, la recherche et l'exploitation de ces modèles. Heureusement, les similarités dans des objets 3D est un phénomène fréquent. De nombreux objets sont composés de parties similaires à une rotation, à une translation ou à une symétrie près. De ce fait, la détection des similarités partielles dans ces modèles est capable de répondre aux problématiques courantes : la taille du stockage est réduite en conservant seulement une partie au lieu de toutes les parties répétées d'un modèle; l'indexation des modèles 3D requiert a priori l'orientation canonique des modèles. Or, la symétrie dans un objet 3D est toujours une référence d'orientation cohérente avec la perception humaine. Nous utilisons donc la symétrie partielle pour aligner ces modèles et ainsi renforcer la robustesse des méthodes d'indexation. Dans un premier temps, nous introduisons une approche similaire à la Transformée de Hough pour détecter des similarités partielles dans des modèles BRep-NURBS. Cette approche identifie non seulement les parties similaires mais aussi les transformations qui les lient. À travers la classification des isométries dans l'analyse des transformations, notre approche peut distinguer la nature de transformation liant des parties similaires d'un modèle, c'est-à-dire, les parties similaires à une rotation, à une translation ou à une symétrie près. Dans le deuxième temps, nous proposons deux applications héritées directement des résultats obtenus par la détection. Tout d'abord, pour la compression, un modèle se transforme en un graphe de similarités d'où les faces principales à conserver sont sélectionnées dans la structure compressée. Ensuite, pour l'orientation, le plan de la symétrie dominante et la projection orthographique d'un modèle autour de ce plan permettent de définir un repère canonique pour aligner ce modèle. ABSTRACT : In this thesis, we identify and exploit the partial similarities within 3D objects to answer the current needs of the Computer Aided Design field (CAD). Novel methods are introduced, on the one hand to detect the partial similarities, on the other hand to use these similarities for specific applications such as shape editing, compression and indexation of 3D objects. Because of the development of geometric modeling applications, 3D models are getting more numerous and available through many channels. To increase the productivity in creating such 3D virtual objects, the reuse and the adaptation of existing models becomes a prior choice. Thus, it requires methods easing the storage, the searching and the exploitation of these models. Fortunately, similarities within the 3D objects is a popular phenomenon. Many objects are composed of similar patches up to an approximated rotation, translation or symmetry. Hence, detecting the partial similarities within NURBSBRep models is able to solve the current issues : the storage size is reduced by coding a single patch instead of repeated patches of a model ; 3D model indexation requires a canonical orientation of these models. Furthermore, the symmetry within a 3D object is a good orientation reference, coherent with the human perception. Accordingly, we use the partial symmetries to align 3D models and so reinforce the robustness of indexation methods. In a first phase, we introduce an orginal approach similar to the Hough Transform to detect partial similarities within NURBS-BRep models. This approach identifies not only similar patches but also identifies the corresponding transformations that connect them. Additionally, through the classification of isometries in transformations analysis, our approach can distinguish the nature of transformations of similar patches of a model, that is, the patches similar up to an approximated rotation, translation or symmetry. This classification is advantageous for further applications : the similar patches of other transformation natures are considered in compressing ; the symmetric patches are used to normalize 3D models aim at a robust indexation. In the second phase, we propose two applications inherited directly from the obtained results of the detection. Firstly, for the compression, a model is transformed into a similarity graph where the principal faces to be coded are selected to form the compressed structure. Secondly, for the orientation, the plane of the dominant symmetry and the orthographic projection of a model around this plane generate a canonical frame to align this model

Combinatorial meshing for mechanical FEM

Diese Dissertation führt die Forschung zur Erzeugung von FEM Netzen für mechanische Simulationen fort. Zur zielgerichteten Steuerung der weiteren Forschung in diesem Feld wurde eine Umfrage zur Identifikation der Kerninteressen der Anwender durchgef¨uhrt. Das vorgestellte Verfahren des Combinatorial Meshing ist ein neuartiges Konzept im Bereich Grid Based Meshing. Im Gegensatz zu den kartesischen Gittern, die im Grid Based Meshing Anwendung finden wird ein an das Problem angepasstes Gitter genutzt. Dieses Precursor Mesh wird durch Analyse des CAD Strukturbaums der Geometrie gewählt. Die Zellen des Precursor Mesh werden mit vorberechneten Netzsegmenten – sogenannten Superelementen gefüllt. Die Wahl passender Superelemente wird als combinatorisches Optimierungsproblem modelliert. Dieses wird mit Hilfe von Answer Set Programming (ASP) und einem alternativen heuristischen Ansatz gelöst. Beide Verfahren werden in Hinblick auf Zeitkomplexität und Ergebnisqualität verglichen. Das resultierende Netz ist eine Grobe Näherung der Zielgeometrie, die an geometrische Elemente angebunden werden muss. Für diesen Prozess wird ein neuer Algorithmus vorgestellt, der automatisch identifizieren kann, an welche Geometrieelemente Oberflächenknoten des Netzes gebunden werden müssen um die Zielgeometrie möglichst exakt abzubilden. Für die Erzeugung der Superelemente wird ein neues Verfahren auf Basis von ASP entwickelt. Um die Generierung von FEM Netzen mit ASP zu ermöglichen, wird das Problem der Netzgenerierung als graphentheoretisches Problem modelliert. Dieses ist die Wahl eines optimalen Subgraphen aus einem Primärgraph. Dieses Problem wird mit einem ASP Solver für verschiedene Optimierungsziele gelöst. Die Graphenformulierung ist zudem ein Fortschritt im theoretischen Verständnis der Komplexität der Netzgenerierung.his dissertation advances the research of mesh generation for Finite Element Method simulation for mechanical applications. In order to target further research at user needs, a survey is conducted to identify the most pressing issues in FEM software. The concept of Combinatorial Meshing is proposed as a novel approach to grid based meshing. While conventional grid based meshing works on trivial Cartesian grids, the use of a Precursor Mesh instead of a grid is proposed. Appropriate Precursor Meshes are selected by analyzing the internal feature structure of the provided CAD data. The cells of this Precursor Mesh are then filled with precomputed mesh templates – called Super Elements. The selection of appropriate Super Elements is modeled as a combinatorial optimization problem. To solve this problem, Answer Set programming (ASP) and a heuristic approach are compared with respect to their time complexity and result quality. The resulting mesh is a rough approximation of the target geometry which then has to be fitted to the geometric entities. For this process a novel algorithm is presented which is able to automatically identify the geometric entities on which the surface nodes of the mesh have to be drawn in order to generate high quality meshes and correctly approximate the desired geometry. For the generation of Super Element Meshes, a novel approach based on ASP is developed. In order to enable meshing with ASP, a graph representation of a mesh is developed and the meshing process is formulated as a graph selection problem. It is then solved with an ASP solver for multiple optimization goals. The graph formulation will also aid the theoretical understanding of meshing complexity

Thermal Modeling and Imaging of As-built Automotive Parts

Simulation is of significant importance in the automotive industry and can be done for various applications ranging from fluid flow analysis to complex thermal management of components. This thesis describes the method and necessary requirements for thermal modeling of automotive parts. Simulation of under hood and under vehicle automotive poses several challenges, the shape and complexity of the geometry used being the first and foremost to be considered. This thesis addresses the simulation of thermal images of as-built automotive parts using the 3D meshes generated from 3D modeling tools, CAD meshes and reverse engineered meshes. Thermal modeling requires complete knowledge about the under hood and under vehicle automotive components. Many factors, both inside and outside the vehicle, affect the heat flow pattern of the vehicle under consideration. Thermal image sequences of under vehicle chassis were acquired to understand the thermal heat pattern and to serve as a basis for simulation. It was inferred that the exhaust system is the system with significant change in temperature and is at temperature close to 450 degree Celsius when the engine is operating at its full capacity. The exhaust system components, namely the catalytic converter, muffler and the exhaust pipes, were considered as the significant components for thermal modeling. The temperature curves of those components were measured with the help of an infrared thermometer to enhance the results of simulation. Application of thermal imaging in the field of threat detection is also addressed in this thesis. Simulation or thermal modeling of the automotive components was done using the software MuSES. The thermal properties and the boundary conditions were assigned to the 3D geometry used and the transient solution was carried out over a period of time. The results for the three types of meshes mentioned earlier are presented and the thermal predictions are analyzed. As-built models can be modeled as they are with the help of reverse engineering, and the temperature predictions of those components provide better simulation results close to reality. The thesis also addresses the idea of comparison between simulation results and real time experimental results

Constructing 3D faces from natural language interface

This thesis presents a system by which 3D images of human faces can be constructed using a natural language interface. The driving force behind the project was the need to create a system whereby a machine could produce artistic images from verbal or composed descriptions. This research is the first to look at constructing and modifying facial image artwork using a natural language interface. Specialised modules have been developed to control geometry of 3D polygonal head models in a commercial modeller from natural language descriptions. These modules were produced from research on human physiognomy, 3D modelling techniques and tools, facial modelling and natural language processing. [Continues.