Integration of CAD Models into Game Engines

Bruno Santos, Nelson Rodrigues, Nelson Rodrigues, Pedro Costa, António Coelho, António Coelho

2021

Abstract

Computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling are similar, but they have different functionalities and applications. CAD is a fundamental tool to create object models, design parts, and create 2D schematics from 3D designed objects that can later be used in manufacturing. Meanwhile, 3D modeling is mostly used in entertainment, to create meshes for animation and games. When there is the necessity of using real-life object models in game engines, a conversion process is required to go from CAD to 3D meshes. Converting from the continuous domain of CAD to the discrete domain of 3D models represents a trade-off between processing cost and visual accuracy, in order to obtain the best user experience. This work explores different methods for the creation of meshes and the reduction of the number of polygons used to represent them. Based on these concepts, an interactive application was created to allow the users to control how the model looks in the game engine, in a simple way, while also optimizing and simplifying the mapping of textures for the generated meshes. This application (CADto3D) generates accurate 3D models based on CAD surfaces while giving the user more control over the final result than other current solutions.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Santos B., Rodrigues N., Costa P. and Coelho A. (2021). Integration of CAD Models into Game Engines. In Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2021) - Volume 1: GRAPP; ISBN 978-989-758-488-6, SciTePress, pages 153-160. DOI: 10.5220/0010201701530160

in Bibtex Style

@conference{grapp21,
author={Bruno Santos and Nelson Rodrigues and Pedro Costa and António Coelho},
title={Integration of CAD Models into Game Engines},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2021) - Volume 1: GRAPP},
year={2021},
pages={153-160},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0010201701530160},
isbn={978-989-758-488-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2021) - Volume 1: GRAPP
TI - Integration of CAD Models into Game Engines
SN - 978-989-758-488-6
AU - Santos B.
AU - Rodrigues N.
AU - Costa P.
AU - Coelho A.
PY - 2021
SP - 153
EP - 160
DO - 10.5220/0010201701530160
PB - SciTePress