Three Direction DEXEL Model of Polyhedrons and Its Application

Compared with the single direction depth element (DEXEL) model, the three direction DEXEL model could express a shape more precisely. This paper gives a dexelization algorithm of polyhedrons. This algorithm could transform a polyhedron into its three direction DEXEL model. Under the same three direction DEXEL space, by Boolean operations such as union, intersection, and subtraction, complex DEXEL model could be produced. This paper used the three direction DEXEL model in rapid prototyping simulation. The complex features of the shape are preserved well .Under Java2.0 and Java 3D, these algorithms are tested. A simulation example of a part is given.