The reuse of free-form surface features: A wavelet approach

The reuse of free-form surface features (FFF), created in different design sessions, is a growing, research field in geometric modelling. The development of this research field will give important improvements in surface shape activities in modern CAD and CAID (Computer-aided Industrial Design) systems. Traditionally, the surface modelling software has been founded on parametric definition of curves and surfaces (Splines and NURBS), giving to designers a great flexibility and power, but lacking in global shaping tools. Nowadays. the most exploited modelling commands are curve-constraining rules and control points repositioning: the first is very time-consuming, while the second is not global and may lead to a smooth-less surfaces. In this paper, we investigate on an application of Multiresolution Analysis (MRA) theory in wavelets representation, to develop a innovative global shaping tool for free-form features reusing. The developed algorithm aims to overcome the traditional control points description thanks to a wavelets coefficients representation of geometry features. The final result of this approach is to give the possibility in building a designer's own features library, which can be available in different modelling sessions, both improving surface quality and reducing time-consuming shaping procedures in product design development.