A method of generating free-route walk-through animation using vehicle-borne video image

Large three-dimensional virtual space and walk-through animations are used in navigation systems, games, and movies, etc . In three-dimensional space using the CG data, reality is dependent on the texture quality of buildings. However, the costs for high -quality texture data are also high , which makes it very difficult to reproduce the reality of the real world completely. In this research , a laser range scanner and eight sets o f video cameras are put on a vehicle. The depth information of object and the panoramic video images of all the directions (360 degrees) are taken by this system. From the depth and panoramic video image data, this research aims at generating free route walk-through animations such as right-turn and left-turn animations at crossing, movement of viewpoint and change of the direction for advance etc.