Approximating Isosurfaces by Guaranteed-quality Triangular Meshes

Abstract

We describe a new method for approximating an implicit surface F by a piecewise-flat triangulated surface whose triangles are as close as possible to equilateral. The main advantage is improved mesh quality which is guaranteed for smooth surfaces. The GradNormal algorithm generates a triangular mesh that gives a piecewise-differentiable approximation of F, with angles between 35.2 and 101.5 degrees. As the mesh size approaches 0, the mesh converges to F through surfaces that are isotopic to F.