ABSTRACT

A level set model is a deformable implicit model that has a regularly-sampled representation.  It is defined as an iso-contour, i.e. a level set, of some implicit function f.  The contour is deformed by solving a partial differential equation on a sampling of f, an image in 2D and a volume dataset in 3D.  Level set methods provide the techniques needed to change pixel/voxel values in a way that evolves the embedded iso-contour to meet a user-defined goal. Deforming models within a level set framework provides several advantages.  By construction, self-intersection cannot occur, which guarantees the generation of physically realizable (i.e. manufacturable), simple, closed objects.  Additionally, level set models easily change topological genus, and are free of the edge-face connectivity issues associated with mesh models. In this talk I will introduce level set models and describe four computer graphics applications that utilize them. The applications are 3D morphing, contour-based surface reconstruction, volume segmentation and geometric modeling.

BIO

David E. Breen is currently an Associate Professor of Computer Science in the College of Computing and Informatics of Drexel University. He is also a Visitor at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. He has held research positions at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, the California Institute of Technology, the European Computer-Industry Research Centre, the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics, and the Rensselaer Design Research Center.  His research interests include computer-aided design, biomedical image informatics, geometric modeling and self-organization.  He has authored or co-authored over 100 technical papers, articles and book chapters on these and other subjects. He is the co-editor of the book “Cloth Modeling and Animation” and is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award. Breen received a BA in Physics from Colgate University in 1982. He received MS and PhD degrees in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1985 and 1993.

Host: James McCann

For Appointments: Chris Downey (cdowney@andrew.cmu.edu)