Minimum distance between two polygons

This function computes the minimum euclidean distance between two polygons P1 & P2.

You are now following this Submission

This function computes the minimum euclidean distance between two
polygons P1 & P2.

min_d = min_dist_between_two_polygons(P1,P2,Display_solution);

This function takes two arguments, a third one is optional.
P1 & P2 contain the geometry of polygons.
P1 & P2 are structures containing two fields: x & y
For example:
P1.x = rand(1,5)+2;
P1.y = rand(1,5);
P2.x = rand(1,3);
P2.y = rand(1,3);
Display_solution is a binary variable that enables or not the
plot of the solution.

The function starts by checking if polygons are intersecting.
In this case, the minimum distance is 0.
Otherwise, distances between all vertices and edges of the two
polygons are computed. The function returns the minimum distance found.
Further details of the implementation can be found in the code.

Cite As

Guillaume JACQUENOT (2026). Minimum distance between two polygons (https://in.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/22444-minimum-distance-between-two-polygons), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

Acknowledgements

Inspired by: Curve Intersect 2

Inspired: Minimum distance between two polygons

General Information

MATLAB Release Compatibility

  • Compatible with any release

Platform Compatibility

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
Version Published Release Notes Action
1.2.0.0

Some boundary cases have been taken into account.

1.1.0.0

Some boundary cases have been taken into account.

1.0.0.0