Fast content-based search of VRML models based on shape descriptors

The present paper proposes a novel method for content-based search in a database of VRML three-dimensional (3-D) models. The proposed technique is based on a querying-by-3-D-model approach. A set of shape-based descriptors are extracted from the reference 3-D model and compared to the corresponding descriptors of the VRML models contained in the database. The descriptors used vary from simple geometric measurements such as the aspect ratio or a binary 3-D shape mask to more complex and sophisticated shape-based criteria such as the edge paths of each 3-D model. Similarity measures are then introduced for the specific descriptors and introduced into a 3-D model-matching algorithm. Experimental results are presented, evaluating the performance of the proposed method.