Accurate Cutting of MSDM-Based Hybrid Surface Meshes

The mass-spring-damper model (MSDM) is a popular method for the physics simulation of surface meshes. Cutting such meshes requires consideration of various contradicting factors: accurate cut representation, maintaining material properties (given by the MSDM geometry) and simulation cost. A hybrid mesh approach partially decouples physics simulation mesh from render mesh by allowing partially rendered physics simulation elements. This paper presents a cutting method for hybrid surface meshes which provides accurate cut representation and maintains MSDM element geometry of cut areas while keeping simulation costs at a competitive level. Additionally, auxiliary data structures, suitable for independent usage, are presented. The bounding box ternary tree is a space partitioning data structure for storing volumetric objects. It subdivides space along an axis-aligned separation plane at each tree level, partitioning objects into below, above and intersecting. A point clustering data structure for efficient retrieval of all points within a given distance is also presented.