Modelling free-form surfaces using a feature-based approach

Different methods for free-form surface deformation have been developed in the last years to overcome difficulties in direct manipulation of surfaces. Even if these approaches are real improvements in the design workflow, they are still far from the stylists' requirements whose main target is the aesthetic shape. Feature-based approaches have been introduced to provide users with more intuitive tools improving interactivity without reducing their creativity. To couple the advantages of both approaches here we propose a hierarchical free-form features classification built on top of our surface deformation tool, where so-called Basic Shape Features and High Level Features form the two main classes on which basis a feature taxonomy is defined according to morphological and topological criteria.