Image-based meshing: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:55, 20 March 2013

Latest revision as of 20:49, 9 August 2025

(21 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)

Line 1:

'''Image-based meshing''' is the automated process of creating computer models for [[computational fluid dynamics]] (CFD) and [[Finite element method|finite element analysis]] (FEA) from 3D image data (such as [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI), [[computed tomography]] (CT) or [[microtomography]]). Although a wide range of [[mesh generation]] techniques are currently available, these were usually developed to generate models from [[computer-aided design]] (CAD), and have therefore have difficulties meshing from 3D imaging data.

==Mesh generation from 3D imaging data==

Line 9:

===Image-based approach===

This approach is the more direct way as it combines the geometric detection and mesh creation stages in one process which offers a more robust and accurate result than meshing from surface data. Voxel conversion technique providing meshes with brick elements <ref>Fyhrie et al, 1993. The probability distribution of trabecular level strains for vertebral cancellous bone. Transactions of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, San Francisco.</ref> and with tetrahedral elements <ref>Frey et al, 1994. Fully automatic mesh generation for 3-D domains based upon voxel sets. ''International Journal of Methods in Engineering'', 37, 2735–2753.</ref> have been proposed.

Another approach generates 3D hexahedraltetrahedral or tetrahedral elements throughout the volume of the ___domain, thus creating the mesh directly with conforming multipart surfaces. <ref>Young et al, 2008. An efficient approach to converting 3D image data into highly accurate computational models. ''Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A'', 366, 3155&ndash;3173.</ref>

==Generating a model==

Line 17:

An extensive range of [[image processing]] tools can be used to generate highly accurate models based on data from 3D imaging modalities, e.g. MRI, CT, MicroCT (XMT), and Ultrasound. Features of particular interest include:

* [[Segmentation (image processing)|Segmentation tools]] (e.g. thresholding, floodfill, level set methods, etc.)

* [[Smoothing|Filters and smoothing tools]] (e.g. volume- and topology-preserving smoothing and noise reduction/artefact removing).

===Volume and surface mesh generation===

Line 24:

* Mapping functions to apply material properties based on signal strength (e.g. [[Young's modulus]] to [[Hounsfield scale]])

* Smoothing of meshes (e.g. topological preservation of data to ensure preservation of connectivity, and volume neutral smoothing to prevent shrinkage of convex hulls)

* Export to FEA and CFD codes for analysis (e.g. nodesnode sets, shell elements, material properties, contact surfaces, boundary layers, inlets/outlets)

==Typical use==

Line 34:

* [[Paleontology]] and [[Morphology (biology)|functional morphology]]

* [[Reverse engineering]]

* [[Soil science]] and [[petrology]]

* [[Petrophysics]]

==See also==

*[[Image segmentation]]

==References==

Line 40 ⟶ 44:

==External links==

* [https://www.computing-objects.com/ Computing-Objects] commercial C++ libraries for mesh generation & FEM computation

* [[Mimics]] 3D image-based engineering software for FEA and CFD on anatomical data: [http://www.materialise.com/mimics Mimics website]

* Simpleware[[ScanIP]] commercial image-based meshing software: [http://www.simpleware.com www.simpleware.com]

* [[Mimics]] 3D image-based engineering software for FEA and CFD on anatomical data: [http://www.materialise.com/mimics Mimics website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212150457/http://www.materialise.com/mimics |date=2011-02-12 }}

* Google group on image-based modelling: [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/image-based-modelling]

* [[Avizo (software)|Avizo Software]]'s 3D image-based meshing tools for CFD and FEA

* iso2mesh: a free 3D surface and volumetric mesh generator for matlab/octave [httphttps://iso2mesh.sourceforge.net/]

* [http://www.ctcms.nist.gov/oof/ OOF3D], object oriented finite element analysis from the [[NIST]]

* [https://www.volumegraphics.com/en/products/vgstudio-max/add-on-modules-for-simulation.html VGSTUDIO MAX], Commercial CT analysis software for industry. They offer an add-on module for FEM meshing.

{{Mesh generation|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Image-Based Meshing}}

[[Category:Mesh generation]]