objemech

Objemech is a framework for analyzing and simulating the mechanical behavior of objects, integrating geometric models with physical laws to predict motion, deformation, and interactions. It treats objects as meshes, often derived from the OBJ file format, and attaches physical properties to vertices, edges, and faces to drive physics-based simulations.

Originating in the early 2010s within computer graphics and robotics communities, objemech was developed to bridge 3D modeling pipelines with physics engines. The approach emphasizes interoperability with standard mesh formats and modularity, allowing researchers and practitioners to extend or replace components without reworking the entire system.

Modeling in objemech typically encompasses both rigid and deformable objects. Material models may range from linear elastic to hyperelastic formulations, while properties such as density, damping, and stiffness are assigned to components of the mesh. Contact mechanics, friction, and joints or constraints enable realistic interactions with other objects and environments, supporting both free motion and complex assemblies.

Computational methods in objemech include forward simulation with time integration schemes, such as semi-implicit Euler, and constraint-based solvers to enforce contacts and joints. Inverse problems may be solved to estimate material properties from observed motion or deformation. The framework can also incorporate multiscale techniques to manage large or detailed models.

Applications span robotics for manipulation planning, virtual prototyping in product design, computer animation, and engineering analysis. Objemech is designed to integrate with existing physics engines and 3D toolchains, supporting workflows from CAD models to simulation results.

Limitations commonly noted include sensitivity to mesh quality, fidelity of material models, and computational cost, particularly for high-resolution or real-time scenarios. Ongoing work aims to improve mesh processing, data-driven material models, and real-time performance for interactive applications.