An Analysis of Errors in Feature-Preserving Mesh Simplification Based on Edge Contraction

Abstract

The Quadric Error Metric (QEM) [1] criterion has been widely applied in mesh simplification procedures. Related criteria--such as the Quasi-Covariance Error Metric (QCEM) [2], which may produce superior results to the QEM--have also been reported in recent years. In this paper, the underlying reasons that criteria such as QEM and QCEM are so successful in mesh simplification processes are considered through analysis of error in the simplification process. Focus is on the use of the QEM and QCEM criteria in edge contraction-based mesh simplification.