Section: New Results

Discrete CAD model for visualization and meshing

Participants : Patrick Laug [correspondant] , Houman Borouchaki.

During the design of an object using a CAD (computer aided design) platform, the user can visualize the ongoing model at every moment. Visualization is based on a discrete representation of the model that coexists with the exact analytical representation of the object. Most CAD systems have this discrete representation available, and each of them applies its own construction methodology. We have developed in 2016 a method to build a discrete model for CAD surfaces (the model is quadtree-based and subdivided into quadrilaterals and triangles). The method presents two major particularities: most elements are aligned with iso-parametric curves and the accuracy of the surface approximation is controlled. In addition, we have proposed a new technique of surface mesh generation that is based on this discrete model. This approach has been implemented as a part of a surface mesher called ALIEN, and several examples have demonstrate the robustness and computational efficiency of the program, as well as the quality of the geometric support [14], [15].