Simplify Surface Instructions

Options:

-f #

Specifies the target number of triangle faces

-v #

Specifies the target numbef of vertices.
If both are given, the algorithm stops when both of these targets are met.

-u #

Specifies the level of initial subdivision.
Note: this just subdivides every triangle into 4 triangles, # times, fairly inefficiently.
Not an ideal solution, but the ideal solution could be an entire project in itself.

-s

Specifies the input file is in .smf format.

-i

Allows contractions that invert face normals.
The default is to put off these contractions until later by increasing their error.
(this means if every contraction inverts a normal, then it will loop forever)
Turning this on often results in a mesh that better follow the color contours, but will have inverted triangles in places.

-o outfile.smf

Specifies the output file (writes in .smf format)

-c calfile

Specifies the optional texture calibration file
If no file is given, vertices are colored by the color given in their input file, or 50% gray if no color is specified there

Calfile File Format: text, one parameter per line:

-the input picture file name

(Radiance's high dynamic range .pic format), this should be a cylindrical sphere projection (x/y = longitude/latitude)

-the center of projection, x coordinate

-the center of projection, y coordinate

-the center of projection, z coordinate

-the scale for color values

(appropriate to compare to the coordinates), larger numbers increase the importance of color relative to geometry

St. Peter's Basilica environment sphere, decimated to 8000 faces:

simplifysurface -s -c stp2.cal -o sphere8000.smf -f 8000 globe-rgb.smf

Globe, decimated to 800 faces:

simplifysurface -s -o globe800.smf -f 800 globe-rgb.smf

Cow, decimated to 1000 faces:

simplifysurface -s -o cow1000.smf -f 1000 cow.smf

or down to 100 faces - alot of the features are degenerating at this point..

simplifysurface -s -o cow100.smf -f 100 cow.smf

Swirl, decimated to 1000 faces:

simplifysurface -s -o swirl1000.smf -f 1000 swirl.smf