Modeling high-genus surfaces

Abstract

The goal of this research is to develop new, interactive methods for creating very high genus 2-manifold meshes. The various approaches investigated in this research can be categorized into two groups -- interactive methods, where the user primarily controls the creation of the high-genus mesh, and automatic methods, where there is minimal user interaction and the program automatically creates the high-genus mesh.

In the interactive category, two different methods have been developed. The first allows the creation of multi-segment, curved handles between two different faces, which can belong to the same mesh or to geometrically distinct meshes. The second method, which is referred to as ``rind modeling'', provides for easy creation of surfaces resembling peeled and punctured rinds.

The automatic category also includes two different methods. The first one automates the process of creating generalized Sierpinski polyhedra, while the second one allows the creation of Menger sponge-type meshes.

Efficient and robust algorithms for these approaches and user-friendly tools for these algorithms have been developed and implemented.