Enhanced remeshing from STL files with applications to surface grid generation

Abstract

In this paper, we present a robust and efficient technique for surface meshing based on Stereolithography (STL) surface definition. Ridges are correctly identified using checks on dihedral angle and comparisons of the ratio of triangle edge lengths. Robust edge swapping, splitting and contraction are performed with stringent element validity checks. The improved remeshing technique is applied directly to CAD models and it is also used to improve surface triangulations which are reconstructed from sectional contours extracted from medical images. All the application examples, including the circulatory system and the urinary system, demonstrate that the enhanced remeshing procedure is robust and efficient for surface grid generation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.