Interactive Design of Developable Surfaces by Patch-Based Learning

Abstract

This paper introduces an interactive design method for developable surfaces, centered on a data-driven approach to optimize surface patches for developability.Surface patches are the fundamental components of an entire surface, typically represented by triangular meshes. We propose a novel learning-based method that effectively transforms patches with arbitrary boundaries into their closest developable surfaces.Based on this method, our developed tools enable real-time, drag-and-drop design for developable surfaces and support piecewise developable approximation through interactive inputs.Experimental results demonstrate that this method provides a fast computational foundation for the interactive design of developable surfaces, enhancing design flexibility while exhibiting excellent robustness and generalization. The piecewise developable approximation of the model, guided by human-computer collaborative segmentation, achieved higher overall approximation accuracy, fewer patches, and lifelike papercraft making outcomes.This offers greater flexibility to meet the application requirements of complex real-world scenarios and provides valuable insights for related research.

Keywords: Developable surface, Interactive design, Deep learning