Christoph Schinko

Modeling procedural knowledge: a generative modeler for cultural heritage

Within the last few years generative modeling techniques have gained attention especially in the context of cultural heritage. As a generative model describes a rather ideal object than a real one, generative techniques are a basis for object description and classification. This procedural knowledge differs from other kinds of knowledge, such as declarative knowledge, in a significant way. It can be applied to a task. This similarity to algorithms is reflected in the way generative models are designed: they are programmed. In order to make generative modeling accessible to cultural heritage experts, we created a generative modeling framework which accounts for their special needs. The result is a generative modeler (http://www.cgv.tugraz.at/euclides) based on an easy-to-use scripting language (JavaScript). The generative model meets the demands on documentation standards and fulfils sustainability conditions. Its integrated meta-modeler approach makes it independent from hardware, software and platforms.

A Survey of Algorithmic Shapes

In the context of computer-aided design, computer graphics and geometry processing, the idea of generative modeling is to allow the generation of highly complex objects based on a set of formal construction rules. Using these construction rules, a shape is described by a sequence of processing steps, rather than just by the result of all applied operations: shape design becomes rule design. Due to its very general nature, this approach can be applied to any domain and to any shape representation that provides a set of generating functions. The aim of this survey is to give an overview of the concepts and techniques of procedural and generative modeling, as well as their applications with a special focus on archeology and architecture.

A scalable rendering framework for generative 3D content

Delivering high quality 3D content through a web browser is still a challenge especially when intellectual property (IP) protection is necessary. Thus, the transfer of 3D modeling information to a client should be avoided. In our work we present a solution to this problem by introducing a server-side rendering framework. Only images are transferred to the client, the actual 3D content is not delivered. By providing simple proxy geometry it is still possible to provide direct interaction on the client. Our framework incorporates the Generative Modeling Language (GML) for the description and rendering of generative content. It is then possible to not only interact with the 3D content, but to modify the actual shape within the possibilities of the generative content. By introducing a control layer and encapsulating processing and rendering of the generative content in a so called GML Rendering Unit (GRU) it is possible to provide a scalable rendering framework.

Simple and Efficient Normal Encoding with Error Bounds

Normal maps and bump maps are commonly used techniques to make 3D scenes more realistic. Consequently, the efficient storage of normal vectors is an important task in computer graphics. This work presents a fast, lossy compression/decompression algorithm for arbitrary resolutions. The complete source code is listed in the appendix and is ready to use.

Search a Retrieval in CAD Databases - A User-centric State-of-the-Art Overview.

This article presents a state-of-the-art overview on shape, information and design retrieval systems in the context of CAD engineering. In contrast to existing surveys, we classify the different approaches from a CAD application user point of view. As a consequence, we focus on features of surveyed techniques such as: supported shape data types, handling of geometric invariances, support of metadata, supported query types, quality of retrieval results, and the availability of implementations.