SHREC

SHREC stands for Shape Retrieval Contest, a series of benchmark challenges in the field of 3D shape retrieval and related areas. It is organized by researchers in computer graphics and vision and is typically conducted in conjunction with major conferences such as Eurographics or workshops within the 3D data community. The aim is to provide standardized datasets, tasks, and evaluation protocols to enable fair comparison of retrieval methods across years.

Since its inception in the early 2000s, SHREC has evolved to cover a range of tasks from rigid 3D model retrieval to non-rigid, textured, and multimodal or cross-domain retrieval, including sketches and images used to query 3D models. Each edition defines multiple tracks with specific datasets and ground-truth annotations.

Participation involves researchers running their algorithms on the provided datasets and submitting retrieval results according to the specified protocol. Evaluation uses metrics such as mean average precision, precision at k, and nearest-neighbor accuracy. Results are publicly posted, facilitating comparison and benchmarking and often informing subsequent research in 3D shape understanding and computer graphics.

SHREC datasets are released for public use to encourage reproducibility. The contest has contributed to the development of standardized evaluation practices and a body of literature on descriptors, features, and retrieval frameworks for 3D shapes. It remains a prominent venue for presenting advances in 3D shape retrieval and related topics.