point sets

[slevy]

> I am working with a group who are interested in developing software to
> handle a data set of 3D points. The points represent the surface coordinates
> of the human face. ...  I find using C and GL a little frustrating,
> as a result I have been experimenting with Inventor for SGI's,
> this seems to be a well thought out package, the main problem, as far
> as I can see, is it is very good at handling geometrical objects, but not
> so versatile when it comes to point data. I am particularly looking for
> something that will work with minimal effort with C++, would Inventor
> be my best route?

No great answers, but here are some ideas.

Sampling a face at 500000 points must make an impressively fine grid, of maybe
.01" separation between points.  If you don't always need such fine resolution,
it might be worth subsampling the points for reasonable interactive
display -- say, a random sample of the complete set for viewing the whole
face, and/or all points within some region to view part of the face at
full resolution.