A Shrinkwrap Method for Quickly Generating Virtual Prototypes for Extended Reality

Extended Reality (XR) applications require Photorealistic Virtual Pro- totypes (PVPs), usually obtained by generating a polygon-based textured model of the original CAD (Computer Aided Design). Getting PVPs requires specific ren- dering and texturing software tools that experienced technicians use. Automatic simplification and conversion approaches from CAD to XR exist but are almost all focused on models without textures. The paper aims to establish a semi-automatic method for creating low-poly PVPs for XR starting from 3D CAD models. The process, implemented in Blender, consists of several steps. First, starting from a high-poly model imported from a 3D mechanicalCAD system, the modelling cage (a low-poly simplified version) is designed. Second, a low-poly variety ofthe CAD geometries are generated using Blender modifiers (i.e., shrinkwrap, subdivision surface and Boolean).Texture mapping is carried out on the cage. Then,bycombin- ing Shrinkwrap, Boolean and Subdivision Surface modifiers, the cage is projected on the CAD-imported high-poly model. Thus, it becomes a low-poly version ofthe same geometry. Finally, the Normal Baking process adds high-frequency details (e.g., engravings). Thanks to the generation ofaUV-Mapped cagewrapping up the component, in case of local modifications to the latter, Blender semi-automatically updates the PVP. The method was used on three stock versions of a sporting rifle. With an average duration of 23 min, the proposed approach more than halved the time