Reconstruction of 3-D Relief Surfaces from 2-D Images

D. T. Pham a, M. Yanga, F.M. Chan

Cardiff University, UK

Introduction

Reconstruct 3-D relief surfaces (in traditional ways):
- Through an elaborate CAD process (time consuming, special knowledge about CAD design software..).
- Reverse engineering from existing sculptures (sophisticated multi-dimensional measuring devices and gauges).

Introduction (con.)

Reconstruct 3-D relief surfaces from 2-D images.
- Possible application scenarios:
  
  •Recovering details of products which were no longer in existence.
  
  •Reproducing cultural relic which do not allow to be touched.
  
  •Reconstructing visually realistic three-dimensional model for virtual reality environments.

Principle of the approach

The surface texture of a physical object under certain illumination can be represented by the light intensity reflected from its surface.
In another words, the light intensity on a physical object is solely determined by its surface structure and the material property.
The surface structure of a object can be recorded on a photographic image and retained by the grey level of pixels in the image.

Proposed approach

Extraction of the grey levels from the image

Applications

The 3-D reconstruction process requires no geometrical measurements, therefore this approach is more suitable for reconstruction of those objects that possess intricate texture surfaces such as artwork, human faces or scenery images.

Applications (con.)

Conclusions

The propose technique can convert photographic images automatically into 3-D relief models.

It is simple and useful for reconstruction of virtual stereo images which are same as the original photographs.

Acknowledgements

This work was carried out as part of the SUPERMAN project funded by the European Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government under the European Regional Development Fund program. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of I*PROMS which is financially funded by the European FP6 Program.