Abstract: Systems and methods for massive model visualization in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes receiving 3D rendering data for a product from a PDM server system by a visualization data server (VDS) on a PDM client system network. The method includes synchronizing and updating the 3D rendering data by the VDS according to changes on the PDM server system. The method includes computing spatial hierarchies from the 3D rendering data by the VDS. The method includes serving the 3D rendering data, by the VDS, to at least one rendering machine on the PDM client system network.

Abstract: A backface culling technique for clusters of polygons, as well as a method for generating efficient clusters from a set of triangle strips. The cluster backface test is directly derived from the traditional single-polygon test, and has about the same complexity. Memory requirements are 40 bytes per test. The cluster backface tests may be arranged hierarchically, with frontface tests added for symmetry. Experiments show graphics performance improvements of up to 50% in terms of number of effective polygons rendered per second.