From cloud-of-point coordinates to three-dimensional virtual environment: the data conversion system

The sequential steps of conversion of data gathered by a full-field 3-D shape measurement optical system into CAD/CAM and multimedia environments are discussed. The complete triangulation algorithm, which automatically creates the triangle mesh from the input cloud of points, is described. Each block of this algorithm is explained in detail with special attention paid to the parameters controlling the quality of the data conversion process. The adaptive process of reducing the number of the triangles based on a second derivative of local curvature of an objects' surface is explained. The error analysis is discussed at each step of the cloud data processing in dependency of the algorithm initial parameters. The three algorithms that process additional color information (R,G,B) into the texture mapped on the triangle mesh is presented. The usefulness of the complete conversion process is proved by the manufacturing of an exemplary object, exporting a human 3-D face to the Internet and an example object into a 3-D virtual environment. (C) 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.