Accessible and adjustable 3D range geometry compression algorithms

Recent advances in computing technology have allowed for the implementation of systems that can capture 3D scans of the surfaces present in a scene, also known as 3D range geometry, with high precision at high speeds. These systems are broadly applicable to fields such as medicine, forensic science, entertainment, and communications. However, the storage and transmission costs associated with the raw 3D data are very large, so it is necessary to compress the data into a more manageable format. This thesis presents several novel methods of 3D range geometry compression that are accessible and adjustable, allowing for their application—with benefits compared to existing methods—to a wide range of fields.