Mesh editing performance optimization

[Anonymous]

Testing Fusion on my laptop for rev engineering some elements (first case eyewear, next nautical propeller).

Noticed the system is very slow, using just 1 of the thread of my CPU (2 core 4 thread available) for saving on the cloud and 1 for all the other things. Saving a project containing a mesh with 1 Mil poly it's really a pain, and the editing for cutting and surfacing it's also unrespponsive.

Want to know if there is anything I can do to optimize performances. What can be optimal hardware specs, or settings or maybe option to save locally the mesh part of the project.

[PhilProcarioJr · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

Sadly at this point there is no computer that will allow you to work with meshes containing 1 million polygons in Fusion. Honestly right now it's a waste of time to even try.

I pushed Fusion to it's limits with an I7 Computer with 16GB of ram and a videocard with 8GB of ram and found any editing over 20k polygons unresponsive.

Getting a 1 million polygon mesh into Fusion is easy, but you won't be able to work with it....it will just look pretty....

MAYBE when the mesh tools comes out for Fusion 360 this will be possible but I still have my doubts.

Just my 2 cents

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the first hand info, will try to greatly reduce the mesh and measure discrepances before using it in Fusion.

Will make any difference in term of performances converting the mesh from triangular to quadratic.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

Can you show me an example of what your trying to use in fusion?

[Anonymous]

What is done in this video, or the Rhino equivalent.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

Your either going to need to use the plugin I link you to before or retopologize your meshes and reimport them. Then convert them to T-Splines.

Right now you don't have a lot of options. Look at some of the other scan data threads for more info.

I'm working on putting together a set of videos right now to help with this exact type of problem but they are not done yet.

What apps are you currently using? 

Is this scan data?

[Anonymous]

This is scan data, reworked with GOM Inspect.
I'm testing various CAD to complete the work flow and arrive to a solid model.
Will be possible to blend contours after creating them with the app?

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr

I did reduce the mesh to 10k poly trough various passeges, now trying to convert from triangular to quadratic for better editing and T-Spline conversion.

Using Memento is impossibile since I can wait forever the process to complete.

Using MeshLab I didn't see any quadratic mesh to be constructed using any of the filters.

Any other suggestion?

Also using the Intersect Mesh Body I can't control the direction of the sketch plane goes, so that is not normal to the edge of mine bow.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

I use Topogun to retopologize my meshes, if your looking for free apps Blender is the only other choice you really have.

Look at this thread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-validate-document/what-is-really-possible-with-t-splines/td-p/6272987

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr

Interesting, but what about slicing using different Sketch plane.

Having some measurement of the bow I did want to be sure they are respected in the final solid, suppose the best way is to slice, adapt the segments to measures, blend them together.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

"Interesting, but what about slicing using different Sketch plane.

Having some measurement of the bow I did want to be sure they are respected in the final solid, suppose the best way is to slice, adapt the segments to measures, blend them together."

You can use this method but it's very time consuming and in my opinion not the best approach. Does it work? Yes but it can be a very difficult way to work with scan data.

One thing you have to remember when using scan data, your final model will only be as accurate as your scan.

I can tell from looking at your scan model that it is not very accurate, probably close enough but not 100%.

So the idea is to create a base mesh with topology that matches the critical areas on the model, then you can snap things to the critical areas and probably get well within the tolerance you need.

I have been working with scan data for over 20 years and have yet to build a model my clients haven't been happy with.

Anyways if you need any help with different methods ask and If I can help I will.

Cheers

Phil

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

Also when you slice a mesh and end up with a curve you have zero control over the control points on the curve.

This can create nightmare situations and a lot of lost time and effort.

You also have zero control over mesh flow which is a critical point in dealing with scan data.

This is why I am skeptical over the new mesh tools coming out. I have not seen any videos dealing with control over mesh flow.

The key to getting from scan data to accurate CAD model is feature definition. All critical edges and forms must be defined in order for the finial model to be CAD accurate.

Accuracy becomes the issue, when defining mesh flow you have to capture the forms and flow of the surfaces. I don't think we will see any auto tools doing that any time soon although I am working on a theory of a way to do just that. Hard to tell when I will be able to take what I know and get a programmer to code it. I just don't have the time to work on the code myself.

Anyways just thought I would throw some things to keep in mind while you work.

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr

This is the first test project to define a workflow for a new service in term of tools and process.

Right now I did scan the part, used GOM Inspect (primarly a metrology tool) to eliminate artifacts, reduce the mesh using his quality control tools to achieve max 0.1mm deviation, take some measures of the real object (attached my slip of paper).

Testing in the process different CAD solutions: SpaceClaim, Rhinoceros, Fusion 360, CATIA, PowerShape. Today dedided to don't proceed with Rhino for UX reasons, CATIA discovered we didn't have RE module licenses so can't manage mesh, PowerShape discarded for UX and performances reason.

How do you suggest to proceed, resurfacing using T-Splines?

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

My method is to retopologize the mesh using Topogun, then import that mesh and convert it to a T-Spline.

I have achieved fantastic results with very high accuracy, but I must warn anyone taking this route.

I have a very solid modeling background so for me it's an easy process, but to someone that doesn't have this background it may prove to be difficult.

You have to understand things like meshflow and quads. You have to understand how to wrap a scan data mesh so T-Splines form the correct way.

Otherwise you end up with very inaccurate results.

It's a totally different skill set then Typical CAD modeling or surfacing.

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr

Didn't have previous CAD knowledge, did have scientifc background so I did like the quality control topic.

Will test your workflow in Fusion and similar resurfacing in SC so to better understand, the slicing and blending workflow didn't bring me anywhere in the last days.

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous

Phil realy knows his stuff. 

I just got my copy of topogun and I wait with baited breath for instruction. 

[Anonymous]

Trying to convert triangular mesh into quad.

Memento: never finish the process

Meshmixer: no function to do it

Topogun: didn't find any guide to do it, even in his own forum, not developed since 2012 (?)

MeshLab: none of the available filters generate a quad mesh, dead development since 2014

ArtMesh: only command line interface, demo didn't accept files >10.000 poly, didn't even try

3d-coat: work like a charm, automatic conversion in few seconds, in demo can't save to check

If someone give me a hint I can try Topogun, otherwise I think will be better search the money for 3d-coat.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

There are a bunch of tutorials on youtube for Topogun, development has continued Cristi has rewritten the code from the ground up and is working on releasing version 3 this year.

3d-coat is a great program to so if that's the one you want to choose go for it. The only reason I don't use it is I had stability issues with it in the past. Either app will get it done.

You said automatic conversion......that wont work for accuracy....

[Anonymous]

@PhilProcarioJr

I'm not a fanboy, just interested in fast results. For the price will be perfect if TopoGun is up to the task.

Looking also on YT I can't find anything specific about an automatic retopo/quad mesh conversion, just if you can point a few hints.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@Anonymous

If you want auto retopology then Topogun wont work for you. It doesn't have auto retopology.