A 3D model simplification algorithm based on edge-collapse

In computer graphics, 3D model is often represented by triangle meshes. A complicated scene sometimes consists of considerable meshes, which is very difficult to store, transmit and render. This paper introduces an improved mesh simplification algorithm based on edge-collapse. This algorithm utilizes quadric error metric to compute the vertex significance and control the sequence of edge collapse. The experimental results show that the new algorithm can reserve original shape features at low levels of detail.