02-04-2015

• When a degenerate facet such as one shown in figure is encountered,

vector algebra is applied. The following steps are taken:

Edge a-c is converted into vectors

Collinear vectors are checked

Let

By mathematical definition, the two vectors x and y are said to be

collinear if there exists scalars s and t, both non-zero such that

but when applied in a computer, it is only necessary to have

Where ε is the definable tolerance

1
 02-04-2015

• If the two vectors are found to be collinear vectors, the position of vertex
e is generated.
• Facet A is split into two facets. The two facets are generated using the
three vertices in facet A. The first facet vertices are a, b & e and the
second facet vertices are b, c & e.
• Then the orientation is checked and new facets are stored in a temporary
file.
• We search and delete facet A from original file and in its place, two new
facets are stored in the original file.

• The condition of overlapping facet is caused by errors introduced

by inconsistent numerical round off.
• This problem can be resolved by through vertex merging where
vertices within a predetermined numerical round off tolerance of
one another can be merged into just one vertex.
• It is recommended that this merging of vertices be done before the
searching of the models for gaps.
• This will eliminate unnecessary detection of erroneous edges and
save substantial computational time expended in checking whether
the edges can be used to generate another facet.

2
02-04-2015