FiberMesh Manual

Introduction

FiberMesh is a 3D modeling system that combines sketch-based modeling and surface construction via optimization. The user interactively defines 3D curves by sketching, and the system generates a smooth surface which interpolates the curves.

Basics

FiberMesh is implemented in Java. You need to install java if you haven't. It uses directX, so it runs only on Windows platforms.

Left mouse button is used for modeling operations. Its behavior changes according to the active tool, specified by the buttons below. Right mouse button is used for camera control. Right-mouse dragging on the model rotates the model. Right-mouse dragging on the background translates the model. Vertical right-mouse dragging near the right edge of the canvas changes zoom.

"Draw" Tool

This is a generic sketching tool (this correpsonds to the original Teddy).

When the user draws a stroke on a blank canvas, the system generates a new 3D model by inflating the closed area. The original stroke appears as a blue control curve.

When the user draws an open stroke on the surface, it becomes a new control curve (sorry this fails often).

When the user draws an open stroke accross the surface, it becomes a temporary curve on the surface. If the user clicks somewhere, the temporary curve becomes a new control curve. If the user draws a stroke on either side of the temporary stroke, it cuts the model.

When the user draws a closed stroke on the surface, it becomes a temporary curve on the surface. If the user clicks somewhere, the temporary curve becomes a new control curve. If the user draws a profile stroke, the system generates an extrusion. If the user draws another closed loop on the opposite side of the surface, the system generates a tunnel.


Other tools

Pull: The user can grab a control curve and deform it by dragging the curve. The area to be deformed grows as the user pulls further.

Erase: The user can erase parts of a control curve by dragging near the curve.

Change: The user can change a blue control curve (smooth constraint) into a red control curve (sharp constraint), and vice versa.

Rub: The user can smooth a curve by dragging back-and-forth near the curve.