Computer graphics using coarse level meshes

Abstract

Computer graphics systems, devices and methods adapted to enable display and/or storage of human-perceptible images on a display device include an arrangement for generating a coarse level mesh representing a surface, from a finer level mesh surface representation. The arrangement includes an indicator value generator and a coarse level mesh generator. The indicator value generator, for respective ones of the points in the finer level mesh surface representation, evaluates an indicator function, the value indicating whether a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for the corresponding point in the coarse level mesh representation. The coarse level mesh generator determines, for each of the points that is to be provided in the coarse level mesh representation, a position in response to the position of the corresponding point in the finer level mesh representation, in accordance with the one of the subdivision-inverse filter methodology and least-squares optimization methodology indicated by the indicator value generated by the indicator value generator.

1 . A fine-to-coarse level mesh generating arrangement for generating a coarse level mesh representation representing a surface, from a finer level mesh representation comprising:
 A. an indicator value generator module configured to, for respective ones of the points in the finer level surface representation, evaluate an indicator function to generate an indicator value, the indicator value indicating whether one of a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for a corresponding point in the coarse level mesh representation; and   B. a coarse level mesh generator module configured to determine, for each of the points that are to be provided in the coarse level mesh representation, a position in the coarse level mesh representation in response to the position of the corresponding point in the finer level mesh representation, in accordance with the one of the subdivision-inverse filter methodology and least-squares optimization methodology as indicated by the indicator value generated by the indicator value generator module.   
   
   
       2 . A method of generating a coarse level mesh representation representing a surface, from a finer level mesh representation, the method comprising:
 A. an indicator value generator process of, for respective ones of the points in the finer level mesh representation, evaluating an indicator function to generate an indicator value, the indicator value indicating whether one of a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for a corresponding point in the coarse level mesh representation: and   B. a coarse level mesh generator process for determining, for each of the points that are to be provided in the coarse level mesh representation, a position in the coarse level mesh representation in response to the position of the corresponding point in the finer level mesh representation, in accordance with the one of the subdivision-inverse filter methodology and least-squares optimization methodology as indicated by the indicator value generated during the indicator value generator process.   
   
   
       3 . A computer program product for use in connection with a computer to provide a fine-to-coarse level mesh generating arrangement for generating a coarse level mesh representation representing a surface, from a finer level mesh representation, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having encoded thereon:
 A. indicator value generator computer program code readable by the computer and operable to enable the computer to for respective ones of the points in the finer level surface representation, evaluate an indicator function to generate an indicator value, the indicator value indicating whether one of a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for a corresponding point, in the coarse level mesh representation; and   coarse level mesh generator computer program code readable by the computer and operable to enable the computer to determine, for each of the points that are to be provided in the coarse level mesh representation, a position in the coarse level mesh representation in response to the position of the corresponding point in the finer level mesh representation, in accordance with the one of the subdivision-inverse filter methodology and least-squares optimization methodology as indicated by the indicator value.