Real-Time Label Visualization in Massive CAD Models

• Published in: 2013 International Conference on Computer-Aided Design and Computer Graphics pp. 337 - 344
• Main Authors: Deris Prado, Renato, Barbosa Raposo, Alberto
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Design automation; Geometry; Indexes; Massive CAD Models; Mathematical model; Real time visualization; Real-time systems; Rendering (computer graphics); Solid modeling; Surface labeling
• DOI: 10.1109/CADGraphics.2013.51

Virtual Labels are used in computer graphics applications to represent textual information arranged on geometric surfaces. Such information consists of names, numbering, or other relevant data that need to be noticed quickly when a user scans the objects in the scene. This paper focuses on the so-called massive models, which have a large number of geometric primitives whose rendering presents a high computational cost and for which conventional texturing techniques can extrapolate the available computational resources. In this work we have developed a way to view, in real time, virtual labels with different information on the surfaces of objects in massive models. The technique is implemented entirely on the GPU, and shows no significant loss of performance and low memory cost. CAD models' objects are the main focus of the work, although the solution can be used in other types of objects once their texture coordinates are adjusted correctly.