The 3D Model Acquisition Pipeline

Three-dimensional (3D) image acquisition systems are rapidly becoming more affordable, especially systems based on commodity electronic cameras. At the same time, personal computers with graphics hardware capable of displaying complex 3D models are also becoming inexpensive enough to be available to a large population. As a result, there is potentially an opportunity to consider new virtual reality applications as diverse as cultural heritage and retail sales that will allow people to view realistic 3D objects on home computers. Although there are many physical techniques for acquiring 3D data--including laser scanners, structured light and time-of-flight--there is a basic pipeline of operations for taking the acquired data and producing a usable numerical model. We look at the fundamental problems of range image registration, line-of-sight errors, mesh integration, surface detail and color, and texture mapping. In the area of registration we consider both the problems of finding an i...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: CGF
• Authors: Fausto Bernardini, Holly E. Rushmeier
• Keywords: CGF 2002, Commodity Electronic Cameras, Complex 3D Models, Line-of-sight Errors