Stellar mesh simplification using probabilistic optimization

This paper proposes the Fast Stellar mesh simplification, a fast implementation of the Four-Face Cluster algorithm. In this method, a probabilistic optimization heuristic substitutes the priority queue of the original Four-Face Cluster, which results in a 40% faster algorithm with the same order of distortion. It extends naturally to a progressive and/or multi-resolution scheme for combinatorial surfaces This work also presents a simple way to encode the hierarchy of the multi-resolution meshes. A very significant objective of this work is to point out important aspects to be considered when developing a practical and robust implementation of this simplification technique, and analyses the influence of the parameters.