Modeling wave set:: Definition and application of a new topological organization for 3D object modeling

In this paper we deal with the problem of constructing geometric models from 3D data points from the surface of real objects. The model generated by our system handles a complete mesh of the object surface obtained by deformation of an initial mesh. Basic topologies, such as three or six connectivity, provide a local and poor characterization in the representation mesh. Therefore, we have introduced a new topological organization called modeling wave set (MWS) where an n-connectivity relationship is established. With the MWS, an object is simultaneously modeled in n subspaces of features, corresponding to n different viewing directions of the object. The use of MWS allows for new solutions to typical computer vision problems, such as recognition and positioning, to be found, Our paper shows this topology and the way it has been tested in detail. Partial modeling based on MWS is a promising research line along which we have started to work and to obtain satisfactory results. (C) 2000 Academic Press.