2. Modeling

2.1 Model concept

The notion of a model has been around since antiquity, either in the form of a physical model, or in the form of abstract objects (usually mathematical), which can be adapted to produce a computer prototype that respects a certain number of properties. We are mainly interested in the representation of object morphology.

The study of object representation involves analyzing the two fundamental aspects of all modeling:

• the representation of the characteristics (in the context of this article, essentially geometric) of objects. This can be done either explicitly or implicitly;

• the implementation of operations, such as the composition or modification of solids. The...