A content-based search engine for VRML databases

This paper presents a new approach for the classification and retrieval of three-dimensional images and models from databases. A set of retrieval algorithms is introduced. These algorithms are content-based, meaning that the input is, not made out of keywords but of three-dimensional models. Tensor of inertia, distribution of normals and distribution of cords are used to describe each model. The database can be searched by scale, shape or color or any combination of these parameters. A user friendly interface makes the retrieval operation simple and intuitive and allows to edit reference models according to the specifications of the user. Experimental results using a database of more than 400 range images and 1000 VRML models are presented.