Solid model approximation for successive three-dimensional shape processing

This paper proposes a practical, accurate, topologically robust and ranging error resistive shape modeling procedure that approximates a real object, with the matrix-format data structure, for the resulting 3D shape processing. Examples of the shape processing are based on the premise of the virtual manipulation of the 3D shape, such as local shape modification and blending. A geometric model with the desired meshing is directly reconstructed based on a solid modeling approach. The radial distance of each scanning point from the axis of the cylindrical coordinates is measured by laser triangulation. The angular and vertical positions of the laser beam are two other coordinate values of the scanning. A face array listing (topology), which defines the vertex (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) modeling, is then accomplished. This proposal allows not only the versatile and automatic shape reconstruction, but also virtual shape manipulation for various trainings and restorations