Can newton enable shape optimization?

[Tianyi20]

Hi, I am wondering if newton can optimize the vertices of a mesh or optimize the SDF of an object?

[momo-van]

@Tianyi20 If you mean fixed-topology shape optimization, that is one thing, and it is closer to what Warp examples already suggest today, for example the elastic shape optimization and Darcy level-set optimization examples in warp.fem. If instead you mean topology-changing optimization or remeshing, that is a different and much harder capability, and not something I would assume Newton exposes as a built-in feature today.

Directionally, we are working to enhance geometry processing capabilities in Warp which by extension will benefit Newton. More insights on your application and exact use-case, can help drive requirements and prioritization. Thanks.

• Explicit / mesh-based shape optimization: https://github.com/NVIDIA/warp/blob/main/warp/examples/fem/example_elastic_shape_optimization.py
• Implicit / level-set-based shape optimization: https://github.com/NVIDIA/warp/blob/main/warp/examples/fem/example_darcy_ls_optimization.py

@AnkaChan @gdaviet for viz