In this paper, we propose a valence-driven, single-resolution encoding tech
nique for lossless compression of triangle mesh connectivity. Building upon
a valence-based approach pioneered by Touma and Gotsman (22), we design a
new valence-driven conquest for arbitrary meshes that always guarantees sma
ller compression rates than the original method. Furthermore, we provide a
novel theoretical entropy study of our technique, hinting the Optimality of
the valence-driven approach. Finally, we demonstrate the practical efficie
ncy of this approach (in agreement with the theoretical prediction) on a se
ries of test meshes, resulting in the lowest compression ratios published s
o far for both irregular and regular meshes, small or large.