CS-630  Free-Form Solid Modeling (new course)

Proposed by Fuhua (Frank) Cheng

Credits: 3


Course Description:

This course covers the path from a conceptual vision of a shape
to a concrete computer-based description that is suitable for
manufacturing.  It covers various solids modeling techniques,
including volume representations, boundary representations,
instantiation and boolean combinations of shapes, and procedural
generation such as sweeps.  It discusses effective data structures
and consistent and unambiguous part description formats to transfer
a shape from a designer to a fabrication house, as well as problems
with maintaining unambiguous topology in the presence of finite-
precision geometry.

Prerequisites:  CS-535

Needed Skills:

The students should be capable of programming in C, C++ or Java, and
have a general understanding of 3D graphics, data structures, and
numerical computing.


Learning Outcomes:

This course provides a good training ground for creative thinking
and spatial perception.
The students will have a good understanding of the design process
through modeling of objects.
The students will learn important geometrical concepts, algorithms,
and data structures in procedural modeling which will be the way of
the future for geometrical shapes and mechanical assemblies, and
languages for describing geometric objects and scenes.



Course Content:

* Representation of Solids
  B-rep; Polygon Soup vs Shared Vertices
  Triangle strips, fans, meshes...
  Use of Symmetry
  Instancing

* Pathplanning and NC machining
  Analysis and Conversion Tools
  Shape Analysis

* Sweeps and other generators
  Manifold vs Non-manifold Objects
  Euler Relations, Genus
  Elementary Topology
  Moebius Band, Klein Bottle, Cross-cap

* Path Generator
  Elementary Knot Theory
  Mitring Prismatic Pipes
  The MkWorm Story

* Manufacturing Abstraction
  Problems with Sharp Corners
  Problems with adjacent elements in pocket milling
  Tile Connectors
  Injection Molding

* Differential Geometry of Curves
  Differential Geometry of Surfaces
  Sculpture Generators 
  Bead Generator

* Thick "Transparent" Surfaces
  Perforations
  Intersecting Breps, Basic Algorithms
  Quaternions

* Boolean CSG Operations
  Problems with Intersecting Patches
  Numerical Resolution of CSG Operations
  Resolving CSG in Real Time

* Interactive Car Panel Design
  Problems with Parametric Modeling

* Interactive User Interfaces
  Acquiring Shape by 3D Scanning
  Volume Structures and Texturing




Textbooks: 

1. I.D.Faux  and  M.J.Pratt,  Computational  Geometry  for
   Design and Manufacture, Halsted Press, Wiley, New York.

2. M.E. Mortensen, Geometric Modeling, Wiley & Sons,  New
   York.

3. C.M. Hoffmann, Geometric & Solid Modeling, Morgan Kaufmann,
   Palo Alto, California.

4. M. Mantyla, An Introduction to Solid Modeling, Computer Science
   Press, Rockville, Maryland.