PointCloudSlicer: Gesture-based Segmentation of Point Clouds

Abstract

Segmentation is a fundamental problem in point-cloud processing, addressing points classification into consistent regions, the criteria for consistency being based on the application. In this paper, we introduce a simple, interactive framework enabling the user to quickly segment a point cloud in a few cutting gestures in a perceptually consistent way. As the user perceives the limit of a shape part, they draw a simple separation stroke over the current 2D view. The point cloud is then segmented without needing any intermediate meshing step. Technically, we find an optimal, perceptually consistent cutting plane constrained by user stroke and use it for segmentation while automatically restricting the extent of the cut to the closest shape part from the current viewpoint. This enables users to effortlessly segment complex point clouds from an arbitrary viewpoint with the possibility of handling self-occlusions.