Geometric Modeling Methods Using Point Cloud Data: Computing Techniques for Recognition and Fitting of Free-form Curves and Surfaces

In the design of sculpted objects such as the exterior of the car body, the design engineer is interested to capture the shape of the sculpted clay or wooden model and create a computer aided design (CAD) model for product development. This technology is also known as reverse engineering of shape. Constructing a CAD model from point cloud data is an inverse problem that is generally ill posed because the information one has does not uniquely determine the solution. New methods based on soft computing techniques such as neural networks, genetic algorithms and traditional analytical techniques for free-form surface recognition, parameterization for surface modeling and contour model recognition for rapid prototyping from point cloud data are presented in this book. The treatment of the subject should especially be useful to academicians and professionals who work in the areas of CAD, 3D data acquisition technologies and rapid product development. This book may also be of general interest to anyone who wants to appreciate the computing techniques that go behind the point cloud processing and surfacing software.