Project Ideas
This post is part of a course on geometric modeling at the Summer Liberal Arts Institute for Computer Science held at Carleton College in 2021.
Below are a few ideas for research projects that will build off of the 3D thinking that you’ve been doing. The descriptions are intentionally vague, as the projects are meant to be owned by you. Feel free to tailor the ideas below or ignore them altogether.
Triangulation Investigate algorithms for turning an arbitrary polygon into triangles. Implement a program that allows the user to draw a polygon, triangulate it, and then extrude or revolve it into a solid model.
Ramer–Douglas–Peucker algorithm Implement a program that allows the user to draw a cross section freehand, simplify the drawing using the RDP algorithm, and then extrude or revolve it. Or allow the user to draw multiple cross sections and then stitch them together.
Geometric Nets Develop an algorithm for unfolding a 3D model so that it lies flat. Flat meshes are easier to print on or cut from paper. Then they can reassembled into their 3D form.
Boolean Composition Investigate constructive solid geometry. Develop a program that allows the user to subtract, intersect, or union models.
Perlin Noise Investigate “organic” noise and use it to produce 3D models in some way.
Superquadrics Investigate the superquadric family of shapes. Develop a program that allows the user to explore their parameter space.
Octasphere Investigate the octasphere family of shapes. Develop a program that allows the user to explore their parameter space. See Philip Rideout’s overview.
Bézier Interface Investigate Bézier curves. Implement a program that allows the user to draw curved cross sections of models, convert them into polylines, and then revolve or extrude them.
Bézier Surfaces Investigate Bézier curves. Implement a program that allows the user to draw a grid of curves and convert it to a 3D mesh. See Scratch-a-pixel for an example.
Parametric Design Investigate direct manipulation. Implement a program that displays a parametric shape and allows the user to drag on it to change its parameters and regenerate the mesh.
Chaikin’s Algorithm Investigate Bézier curves. Implement a program that allows the user the draw a shape’s cross section as a polygon, converts the drawing to curves, and then samples the curves to produce a polyline that is extruded or revolved to produce a solid shape.