Surface Reconstruction and 3D Shape Processing for Cultural Applications

This paper proposes a practical, topologically robust and ranging error resistive shape modelling procedure that approximates a real object, with the matrix-format data structure, for 3D shape processing. Virtual manipulations, such as local shape modification and transcription are demonstrated. A geometric model with the desired meshing is directly reconstructed based on a solid modelling approach. The radial distance of each scanning point from the axis of the cylindrical coordinates is measured by laser triangulation. A face array listing (topology), which defines the sampling point connectivity and the shape of the mesh, is assigned to meet the desired meshing. Topologically stable meshing, and hence, an accurate approximation, free from the shape ambiguity unavoidable in the so-called ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm, is then accomplished. This proposal allows not only the shape registration, but also virtual shape manipulation for various restorations and trainings.