Y. Zhang, C. Bajaj, B.-S. Sohn
Adaptive and Quality 3D Meshing from Imaging Data

This paper presents an algorithm to extract adaptive and quality
3D meshes directly from volumetric imaging data. The extracted
tetrahedral and hexahedral meshes are extensively used in the
Finite Element Method (FEM). A top-down octree subdivision coupled
with the dual contouring method is used to rapidly extract
adaptive 3D finite element meshes with correct topology from
volumetric imaging data. The edge contraction and smoothing method
is used to improve the quality of the extracted meshes. The main
contribution is extending the dual contouring method to crack-free
interval volume 3D meshing with feature sensitive adaptation.
Compared to other tetrahedral extraction methods from imaging
data, our method generates high quality adaptive 3D meshes without
introducing any hanging nodes. Our algorithm has already been
applied successfully to constructing the geometric model of the
molecule (mAChE) in solving the diffusion problem using FEM.