Stellar Mesh Simplification Using Probabilistic Optimization

This paper proposes the stellar mesh simplification method, a fast implementation of the Four-Face Cluster (FFC) algorithm. In this method, a probabilistic optimization heuristic substitutes the priority queue of the original method, which results in a 40% faster algorithm with the same order of distortion. It extends naturally to a progressive and/or multiresolution scheme for combinatorial surfaces. This work also presents a simple way to encode the hierarchy of the resulting multiresolution meshes. This work also focuses on important aspects for the development of a practical and robust implementation of this simplification technique, and on the analysis of the influence of the parameters.