Computing Homology Generators for Volumes Using Minimal Generalized Maps

International audience; In this paper, we present an algorithm for computing efficiently homology generators of 3D subdivided orientable objects which can contain tunnels and cavities. Starting with an initial subdivision, represented with a generalized map where every cell is a topological ball, the number of cells is reduced using simplification operations (removal of cells), while preserving homology. We obtain a minimal representation which is homologous to the initial object. A set of homology generators is then directly deduced on the simplified 3D object.