Multi-camera Photometric Simulation for Creation of 3D Object Reconstruction System

Photogrammetry allows a three-dimensional reconstruction of the object based on its multiple photographies. The quality of the reconstruction result depends mostly on the gloss, the diversity of the texture, the lighting conditions, the quality of the camera calibration and the shape of the object. The article presents the results of a simulation of a multi-camera reconstruction system, for the needs of developing a 3D objects reconstruction system (3D scanner). The 3D reconstruction system works by simultaneously taking photographs of cameras located around the object. The simulation was created to investigate the optimal distribution of cameras and projectors casting a pattern that increases the number of characteristic points on the surface of the object. The impact of background removal in images on the reconstruction result as well as the texture quality of the object depending on the resolution and distance of the cameras from the object were also investigated. The graphic engine used to create the simulation also allows testing of various types of object lighting. The presented results prove that the parameters of the system structure, such as the placement of cameras, projectors, the selection of patterns projected by the projectors are important and their values can be determined at the stage of system simulation. Conceptual errors at the simulation stage can be removed with minimal cost and the actual system can be created on the basis of tested assumptions. The conducted research in real-world conditions of the designed 3D object reconstruction system based on simulated parameters confirms the validity of the use of simulation.