Abstract: A method of smoothing a surface mesh includes determining first angles between a first direction and vectors normal to a plurality of faces defined in the surface mesh, determining a set of artifact vertices by including a first vertex of the surface mesh in the set of artifact vertices responsive to the first angles associated with faces adjacent to the first vertex satisfying a first condition, calculating a weighted value for a second vertex of the surface mesh based on a distance from the second vertex to a nearest artifact vertex in the set of artifact vertices, and generating a smoothed surface mesh by using the weighted value in a smoothing algorithm applied to the surface mesh.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively smoothing an input surface mesh based on identified staircase artifacts are disclosed. Staircase artifacts may be generated along any one of a surface mesh's coordinate vectors. Vertices in the surface mesh associated with the staircase artifact are identified by comparing normalized angles between normal vectors of a plurality of faces adjacent to a vertex and a reference vector. Multiple reference vectors are used to identify additional artifact vertices. Weighted values may be generated for each vertex of the surface mesh based on the vertex's proximity to an identified artifact vertex. Vertices of a surface mesh may be subjected to a modified smoothing algorithm using the weighted values. The modified smoothing algorithm removes staircase artifacts while better preserving model volume and small model features.

Abstract: An exercise device comprising a flywheel with two drive connections from an oscillating input, one drive connection driving the flywheel during one phase of the oscillating input and the other drive connection driving the flywheel in the same direction during the other phase of the oscillating input. The flywheel is thus driven continuously during the two phases of the oscillating input, providing an efficient form of exercise. In addition, the flywheel can be driven conventionally by foot pedals.