Axl, a Geometric Modeler for Semi-algebraic Shapes

Abstract

We describe the algebraic-geometric modeling platform Axl, which provides tools for the manipulation, computation and visualisation of semi-algebraic models. This includes meshes, basic geometric objects such as spheres, cylinders, cones, ellipsoids, torus, piecewise polynomial parameterisations of curves, surfaces or volumes such as b-spline parameterisations, as well as algebraic curves and surfaces defined by polynomial equations. Moreover, Axl provides algorithms for processing these geometric representations, such as computing intersection loci (points, curves) of parametric models, singularities of algebraic curves or surfaces, certified topology of curves and surfaces, etc.