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Sketch-Based Intuitive 3D Model Deformations

Bao, Xin

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2014.

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Abstract

In 3D modelling software, deformations are used to add, to remove, or to modify geometric features of existing 3D models to create new models with similar but slightly different details. Traditional techniques for deforming virtual 3D models require users to explicitly define control points and regions of interest (ROIs), and to define precisely how to deform ROIs using control points. The awkwardness of defining these factors in traditional 3D modelling software makes it difficult for people with limited experience of 3D modelling to deform existing 3D models as they expect. As applications which require virtual 3D model processing become more and more widespread, it becomes increasingly desirable to lower the "difficulty of use" threshold of 3D model deformations for users.This thesis argues that the user experience, in terms of intuitiveness and ease of use, of a user interface for deforming virtual 3D models, can be greatly enhanced by employing sketch-based 3D model deformation techniques, which require the minimal quantities of interactions, while keeping the plausibility of the results of deformations as well as the responsiveness of the algorithms, based on modern home grade computing devices.A prototype system for sketch-based 3D model deformations is developed and implemented to support this hypothesis, which allows the user to perform a deformation using a single deforming stroke, eliminating the need to explicitly select control points, the ROI and the deforming operation. GPU based accelerations have been employed to optimise the runtime performance of the system, so that the system is responsive enough for real-time interactions. The studies of the runtime performance and the usability of the prototype system are conducted to provide evidence to support the hypothesis.