3D modelling of small object based on the projector‐camera system

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to resolve the problem of 3D modelling of small objects lacking or without real texture, using an automatic, practical, convenient and effective method.Design/methodology/approachFor each space feature point projected on the surface of the target small object, there are two corresponding 2D points existing. One is an image point in one of the image sequences from the digital camera; another is a point in the slide from the projector. Using the image processing method, the image point can be extracted out accurately so that its 2D coordinates are gained. At the same time, the slide point is designed first so that its 2D coordinates are calculated by the known data. The 3D coordinates of the space feature point can be computed by the space forward intersection.FindingsThe projector‐camera system is composed of a slide projector, a digital camera, a control ground, and a computer. The computer controls the other three pieces of equipment, working together automatically and efficiently.Research limitations/implicationsAccording to the size of the grid, the target object is relatively small. The planar grid is functioned as the calibration of the slide projector and the digital camera.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a very effective approach for 3D reconstruction of small objects.Originality/valueAccording to the traditional method of the digital camera taking images, the projector is steered so that the projector‐camera system is formed. After being calibrated, respectively, in advance, the projector‐camera system is similar to the binocular vision system in the principle of 3D modelling.