Automated path segmentation for 2-dimensional vectorised data

Effective identification of breakpoints from a given set of vectorised data is a crucial step in converting data from a scanner for use with a CAD/CAM system. In this paper we present our spline-based breakpoint detection algorithm, which is used to segment the vectorised data into straight and curved sections prior to curve fitting. Initial tests show that very satisfactory representations are generated, even for complex shapes. Only two parameters are required namely the tolerance δ for the deviation of the curve from the vectorised data and the maximum length L for a vector which may be included in a curve