Approximate Conversion of Parametric to Implicit Surfaces

Abstract

In this paper we present a framework for the approximate conversion of parametric to implicit surfaces. It takes as input a parametric description and generates a piecewise analytic implicit representation. The conversion process consists of three steps: 1) the parametric surface is rasterized into a volumetric characteristic function. 2) this binary function is converted into a volume array corresponding to samples of a smooth implicit function. 3) this volumetric representation is converted into a multiscale B-spline model. This method is based on wavelet analysis and synthesis techniques and is very general. It can convert to implicit form any geometric object that is suitable for discretization into a characteristic function.