Mesh Optimization
Mesh optimization is a computational geometry and computer graphics technique focused on improving the quality, efficiency, and performance of polygonal meshes, which are 3D models composed of vertices, edges, and faces. It involves algorithms and methods to refine mesh structure, reduce complexity, enhance visual fidelity, or adapt meshes for specific applications like rendering, simulation, or 3D printing. Common goals include reducing polygon count while preserving shape, improving element quality (e.g., triangle aspect ratios), or optimizing for GPU processing.
Developers should learn mesh optimization when working in fields such as computer graphics, game development, CAD software, or scientific visualization, where 3D models need to be efficient and high-quality. It is crucial for real-time applications to reduce rendering overhead, for simulations to ensure numerical stability, and for 3D printing to produce accurate physical objects. Specific use cases include optimizing game assets for performance, preparing models for finite element analysis, or compressing 3D data for storage and transmission.