header

Publications


 

Parametrization Quantization with Free Boundaries for Trimmed Quad Meshing


Max Lyon, Marcel Campen, David Bommes, Leif Kobbelt
SIGGRAPH 2019
pubimg

The generation of quad meshes based on surface parametrization techniques has proven to be a versatile approach. These techniques quantize an initial seamless parametrization so as to obtain an integer grid map implying a pure quad mesh. State-of-the-art methods following this approach have to assume that the surface to be meshed either has no boundary, or has a boundary which the resulting mesh is supposed to be aligned to. In a variety of applications this is not desirable and non-boundary-aligned meshes or grid-parametrizations are preferred. We thus present a technique to robustly generate integer grid maps which are either boundary-aligned, non-boundary-aligned, or partially boundary-aligned, just as required by different applications. We thereby generalize previous work to this broader setting. This enables the reliable generation of trimmed quad meshes with partial elements along the boundary, preferable in various scenarios, from tiled texturing over design and modeling to fabrication and architecture, due to fewer constraints and hence higher overall mesh quality and other benefits in terms of aesthetics and flexibility.

» Show BibTeX

@article{Lyon:2019:TrimmedQuadMeshing,
author = "Lyon, Max and Campen, Marcel and Bommes, David and Kobbelt, Leif",
title = "Parametrization Quantization with Free Boundaries for Trimmed Quad Meshing",
journal = "ACM Transactions on Graphics",
volume = 38,
number = 4,
year = 2019
}





Distortion-Minimizing Injective Maps Between Surfaces


Patrick Schmidt, Janis Born, Marcel Campen, Leif Kobbelt
SIGGRAPH Asia 2019
pubimg

The problem of discrete surface parametrization, i.e. mapping a mesh to a planar domain, has been investigated extensively. We address the more general problem of mapping between surfaces. In particular, we provide a formulation that yields a map between two disk-topology meshes, which is continuous and injective by construction and which locally minimizes intrinsic distortion. A common approach is to express such a map as the composition of two maps via a simple intermediate domain such as the plane, and to independently optimize the individual maps. However, even if both individual maps are of minimal distortion, there is potentially high distortion in the composed map. In contrast to many previous works, we minimize distortion in an end-to-end manner, directly optimizing the quality of the composed map. This setting poses additional challenges due to the discrete nature of both the source and the target domain. We propose a formulation that, despite the combinatorial aspects of the problem, allows for a purely continuous optimization. Further, our approach addresses the non-smooth nature of discrete distortion measures in this context which hinders straightforward application of off-the-shelf optimization techniques. We demonstrate that, despite the challenges inherent to the more involved setting, discrete surface-to-surface maps can be optimized effectively.



» Show Videos
» Show BibTeX

@article{schmidt2019distortion,
author = {Schmidt, Patrick and Born, Janis and Campen, Marcel and Kobbelt, Leif},
title = {Distortion-Minimizing Injective Maps Between Surfaces},
journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics},
issue_date = {November 2019},
volume = {38},
number = {6},
month = nov,
year = {2019},
articleno = {156},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3355089.3356519},
doi = {10.1145/3355089.3356519},
publisher = {ACM},
address = {New York, NY, USA},
}





String-Based Synthesis of Structured Shapes


Javor Kalojanov, Isaak Lim, Niloy Mitra, Leif Kobbelt
Computer Graphics Forum (Proc. EUROGRAPHICS 2019)
pubimg

We propose a novel method to synthesize geometric models from a given class of context-aware structured shapes such as buildings and other man-made objects. Our central idea is to leverage powerful machine learning methods from the area of natural language processing for this task. To this end, we propose a technique that maps shapes to strings and vice versa, through an intermediate shape graph representation. We then convert procedurally generated shape repositories into text databases that in turn can be used to train a variational autoencoder which enables higher level shape manipulation and synthesis like, e.g., interpolation and sampling via its continuous latent space.

» Show BibTeX

@article{Kalojanov2019,
journal = {Computer Graphics Forum},
title = {{String-Based Synthesis of Structured Shapes}},
author = {Javor Kalojanov and Isaak Lim and Niloy Mitra and Leif Kobbelt},
pages = {027-036},
volume= {38},
number= {2},
year = {2019},
note = {\URL{https://diglib.eg.org/bitstream/handle/10.1111/cgf13616/v38i2pp027-036.pdf}},
DOI = {10.1111/cgf.13616},
}





A Convolutional Decoder for Point Clouds using Adaptive Instance Normalization


Isaak Lim, Moritz Ibing, Leif Kobbelt
Eurographics Symposium on Geometry Processing 2019
pubimg

Automatic synthesis of high quality 3D shapes is an ongoing and challenging area of research. While several data-driven methods have been proposed that make use of neural networks to generate 3D shapes, none of them reach the level of quality that deep learning synthesis approaches for images provide. In this work we present a method for a convolutional point cloud decoder/generator that makes use of recent advances in the domain of image synthesis. Namely, we use Adaptive Instance Normalization and offer an intuition on why it can improve training. Furthermore, we propose extensions to the minimization of the commonly used Chamfer distance for auto-encoding point clouds. In addition, we show that careful sampling is important both for the input geometry and in our point cloud generation process to improve results. The results are evaluated in an auto-encoding setup to offer both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The proposed decoder is validated by an extensive ablation study and is able to outperform current state of the art results in a number of experiments. We show the applicability of our method in the fields of point cloud upsampling, single view reconstruction, and shape synthesis.

» Show BibTeX

@article{Lim:2019:ConvolutionalDecoder,
author = "Lim, Isaak and Ibing, Moritz and Kobbelt, Leif",
title = "A Convolutional Decoder for Point Clouds using Adaptive Instance Normalization",
journal = "Computer Graphics Forum",
volume = 38,
number = 5,
year = 2019
}





ACAP: Sparse Data Driven Mesh Deformation


Lin Gao, Yu-Kun Lai, Jie Yang, Ling-Xiao Zhang, Shihong Xia, Leif Kobbelt
IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics
pubimg

Example-based mesh deformation methods are powerful tools for realistic shape editing. However, existing techniques typically combine all the example deformation modes, which can lead to overfitting, i.e. using an overly complicated model to explain the user-specified deformation. This leads to implausible or unstable deformation results, including unexpected global changes outside the region of interest. To address this fundamental limitation, we propose a sparse blending method that automatically selects a smaller number of deformation modes to compactly describe the desired deformation. This along with a suitably chosen deformation basis including spatially localized deformation modes leads to significant advantages, including more meaningful, reliable, and efficient deformations because fewer and localized deformation modes are applied. To cope with large rotations, we develop a simple but effective representation based on polar decomposition of deformation gradients, which resolves the ambiguity of large global rotations using an as-consistent-as-possible global optimization. This simple representation has a closed form solution for derivatives, making it efficient for our sparse localized representation and thus ensuring interactive performance. Experimental results show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art data-driven mesh deformation methods, for both quality of results and efficiency.

» Show Videos
» Show BibTeX

@article{gao2019sparse,
title={Sparse data driven mesh deformation},
author={Gao, Lin and Lai, Yu-Kun and Yang, Jie and Ling-Xiao, Zhang and Xia, Shihong and Kobbelt, Leif},
journal={IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics},
year={2019},
publisher={IEEE}
}





Form Finding of Stress Adapted Folding as a Lightweight Structure Under Different Load Cases


Juan Musto, Max Lyon, Martin Trautz, Leif Kobbelt
Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia
pubimg

In steel construction, the use of folds is limited to longitudinal folds (e.g. trapezoidal sheets). The efficiency of creases can be increased by aligning the folding pattern to the principal stresses or to their directions. This paper presents a form-finding approach to use the material as homogeneously as possible. In addition to the purely geometric alignment according to the stress directions, it also allows the stress intensity to be taken into account during form-finding. A trajectory mesh of the principle stresses is generated on the basis of which the structure is derived. The relationships between the stress lines distance, progression and stress intensity are discussed and implemented in the approaches of form-finding. Building on this, this paper additionally deals with the question of which load case is the most effective basis for designing the crease pattern when several load cases can act simultaneously.

» Show BibTeX

@article {Musto:2019:2518-6582:1,
title = "Form finding of stress adapted folding as a lightweight structure under different load cases",
journal = "Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia",
parent_itemid = "infobike://iass/piass",
publishercode ="iass",
year = "2019",
volume = "2019",
number = "13",
publication date ="2019-10-07T00:00:00",
pages = "1-8",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "2518-6582",
eissn = "2518-6582",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iass/piass/2019/00002019/00000013/art00006",
keyword = "lightweight-construction, folding, Mixed-Integer Quadrangulation, principle stress lines",
author = "Musto, Juan and Lyon, Max and Trautz, Martin and Kobbelt, Leif",
abstract = "In steel construction, the use of folds is limited to longitudinal folds (e.g. trapezoidal sheets). The efficiency of creases can be increased by aligning the folding pattern to the principal stresses or to their directions. This paper presents a form-finding approach to use the material
as homogeneously as possible. In addition to the purely geometric alignment according to the stress directions, it also allows the stress intensity to be taken into account during form-finding. A trajectory mesh of the principle stresses is generated on the basis of which the structure is
derived. The relationships between the stress lines distance, progression and stress intensity are discussed and implemented in the approaches of form-finding. Building on this, this paper additionally deals with the question of which load case is the most effective basis for designing
the crease pattern when several load cases can act simultaneously.",
}





Beanspruchungsoptimierte Faltungen aus Stahl für selbsttragende Raumfaltwerke


Juan Musto, Max Lyon, Martin Trautz, Leif Kobbelt
Bautechnik
pubimg

Der Einsatz von Faltungen beschränkt sich im Bauwesen auf Longitudinalfaltungen (Trapezbleche) und regelmäßige Faltungen. Raumfaltwerke und Faltleichtbauplatten, räumlich gekrümmte und dreidimensionale Flächentragwerke sind Desiderate eines Leichtbaus mit Stahlblechen. Raumfaltwerke bestehen vorwiegend aus regelmäßigen Faltmuster, die auf Tesselierung mit Primitivflächen (Drei-und Vierecke) basieren. Um die Effizienz dieser Leichtbaustrukturen zu verbessern, liegt es nahe, statt regelmäßige und auf geometrischen Prinzipien basierende Faltmuster umzusetzen, Faltmuster nach Maßgabe nach Maßgabe der der Beanspruchungen bzw. der Beanspruchungsverteilung anzuwenden. Hierzu ist ein Formfindungsprozess zu entwickeln, der auf der Generierung eines Trajektoriennetzes basiert, das aus dem maßgeblichen Lastfall (formgebenden Lastfall) abgeleitet wird. Der Vergleich des Masseneinsatzes und der Traglast der Faltungen, die auf geometrischer Basis erzeugt wurden mit einer auf Basis des Trajektoriennetzes entwickelten Faltung zeigt die Veränderung der Effizienz .

» Show BibTeX

@article{https://doi.org/10.1002/bate.201900024,
author = {Musto, Juan and Lyon, Max and Trautz, Martin and Kobbelt, Leif},
title = {Beanspruchungsoptimierte Faltungen aus Stahl für selbsttragende Raumfaltwerke},
journal = {Bautechnik},
volume = {96},
number = {12},
pages = {902-911},
keywords = {Leichtbau, Faltungen, Hauptspannungstrajektorien, Mixed-Integer Quadrangulation, lightweight-construction, folgings, principle stress trajectories, mixed-integer quadrangulation, Stahlbau, Leichtbau, Steel construction, lightweight construction},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/bate.201900024},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bate.201900024},
eprint = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/bate.201900024},
abstract = {Abstract Der Einsatz von Faltungen beschränkt sich im Bauwesen auf Longitudinalfaltungen (Trapezbleche) und regelmäßige Faltungen. Raumfaltwerke und Faltleichtbauplatten, räumlich gekrümmte und dreidimensionale Flächentragwerke sind Desiderate eines Leichtbaus mit Stahlblechen. Raumfaltwerke bestehen vorwiegend aus regelmäßigen Faltmustern, die auf Tesselierung mit Primitivflächen (Drei- und Vierecke) basieren. Um die Effizienz dieser Leichtbaustrukturen zu verbessern, liegt es nahe, statt regelmäßige und auf geometrischen Prinzipien basierende Faltmuster umzusetzen, Faltmuster nach Maßgabe der Beanspruchungen bzw. der Beanspruchungsverteilung anzuwenden. Hierzu ist ein Formfindungsprozess zu entwickeln, der auf der Generierung eines Trajektoriennetzes basiert, das aus dem maßgeblichen Lastfall (formgebenden Lastfall) abgeleitet wird. Der Vergleich des Masseneinsatzes und der Traglast der Faltungen, die auf geometrischer Basis erzeugt wurden, mit einer auf Basis des Trajektoriennetzes entwickelten Faltung zeigt die Veränderung der Effizienz.},
year = {2019}
}





Structured Discrete Shape Approximation: Theoretical Complexity and Practical Algorithm


Andreas Tillmann, Leif Kobbelt
Computational Geometry (Volume 99, 2021)

We consider the problem of approximating a two-dimensional shape contour (or curve segment) using discrete assembly systems, which allow to build geometric structures based on limited sets of node and edge types subject to edge length and orientation restrictions. We show that already deciding feasibility of such approximation problems is NP-hard, and remains intractable even for very simple setups. We then devise an algorithmic framework that combines shape sampling with exact cardinality-minimization to obtain good approximations using few components. As a particular application and showcase example, we discuss approximating shape contours using the classical Zometool construction kit and provide promising computational results, demonstrating that our algorithm is capable of obtaining good shape representations within reasonable time, in spite of the problem's general intractability. We conclude the paper with an outlook on possible extensions of the developed methodology, in particular regarding 3D shape approximation tasks.



Code available per request.
» Show BibTeX

@article{TILLMANN2021101795,
title = {Structured discrete shape approximation: Theoretical complexity and practical algorithm},
journal = {Computational Geometry},
volume = {99},
pages = {101795},
year = {2021},
issn = {0925-7721},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comgeo.2021.101795},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925772121000511},
author = {Andreas M. Tillmann and Leif Kobbelt},
keywords = {Shape approximation, Discrete assembly systems, Computational complexity, Mixed-integer programming, Zometool},
abstract = {We consider the problem of approximating a two-dimensional shape contour (or curve segment) using discrete assembly systems, which allow to build geometric structures based on limited sets of node and edge types subject to edge length and orientation restrictions. We show that already deciding feasibility of such approximation problems is NP-hard, and remains intractable even for very simple setups. We then devise an algorithmic framework that combines shape sampling with exact cardinality minimization to obtain good approximations using few components. As a particular application and showcase example, we discuss approximating shape contours using the classical Zometool construction kit and provide promising computational results, demonstrating that our algorithm is capable of obtaining good shape representations within reasonable time, in spite of the problem's general intractability. We conclude the paper with an outlook on possible extensions of the developed methodology, in particular regarding 3D shape approximation tasks.}
}





Computing the Spark: Mixed-Integer Programming for the (Vector) Matroid Girth Problem


Andreas Tillmann
Computational Optimization and Applications

We investigate the NP-hard problem of computing the spark of a matrix (i.e., the smallest number of linearly dependent columns), a key parameter in compressed sensing and sparse signal recovery. To that end, we identify polynomially solvable special cases, gather upper and lower bounding procedures, and propose several exact (mixed-)integer programming models and linear programming heuristics. In particular, we develop a branch-and-cut scheme to determine the girth of a matroid, focussing on the vector matroid case, for which the girth is precisely the spark of the representation matrix. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our specialized algorithms compared to general-purpose black-box solvers applied to several mixed-integer programming models.



Code and test instances available per request; will become directly available on this page in the near future.
» Show BibTeX

@article{Tillmann2019,
author = {Andreas M. Tillmann},
title = {{Computing the Spark: Mixed-Integer Programming\\for the (Vector) Matroid Girth Problem}},
journal = {{Computational Optimization and Applications}},
volume = {to appear},
year = {2019}
}






Previous Year (2018)
Disclaimer Home Visual Computing institute RWTH Aachen University