PB-FFD: A Point-Based Technique for Free-Form Deformation

Abstract

This paper presents PB-FFD, a novel, interactive, point-based technique for performing free-form deformation of polygonal meshes. First, a volumetric deformation space is defined as the linear combination of overlapping, ellipsoidal radial basis functions (EBFs) of compact support. Mesh vertices are then parameterized with respect to local coordinate frames centered over the origins of the EBFs. As in traditional FFD, the mesh vertices are displaced in response to changes in the control-point positions. Hence, PB-FFD presents to the user an interface similar to that of traditional free-form deformation but does not require that a deformation lattice be explicitly constructed. PB-FFD also supports multiresolution control, direct manipulation of meshes, and automatic construction and refinement of the deformation space, among other benefits. This paper covers important implementation issues, discusses special cases that may arise during use of the technique, and offers advice to those who wish to implement ...