3D scanning leads?
2 messages in this thread
Has anyone here any acquaintance with techniques for acquiring a 3d scan
-that is, a DXF or whatever of a 3d object's surface with all its
"topography", at least as seen from one direction? I'm interested in, say,
source objects that would fit within one cubic foot, at a resolution of up
to 100 dpi.
I know that reconstructive plastic surgeons have such scanners, but I'm
told they start in six figures. How much processing would be needed to do
it with a 180-degree "wraparound" set of photographs, using an appropriate
light source at a known distance for each? Or take one time exposure from
the front as strobes go off behind spaced slits to either side? Or best of
all, some kind of small-scale rastering radar — oops, I think I'm
creeping back into six figures…
I'd be very grateful for any leads to publications, people, or firms
involved in this area.
Monte,
One image-based method for 3D digitizing is called Phase Measuring
Profilometry (PMP). PMP is a non-laser based directed-light method relying
on phase difference calculations between several frames of a object imaged
with light thru a sinusoidal density grating. For more info you could
check out R&D magazine, May 90, or contact Maurice Halioua, director of the
Center for Optics, Lasers & Holography at the New York Institute of
Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568.
Where I work, we are developing a PMP-based inspection system that will
cost well into the dreaded six-figure range. There is no reason, however,
that a little ingenuity could not trade some precision and ease of use for
a big pile of money. Most of the problem is in delivering the light
appropriately and the image caputure (which abounds in Targa Land). The
math (software) is not difficult.
JKJ