Processing 3D scanner data for virtual reality

Digitization of real objects into 3D models is a rapidly expanding field, with ever increasing range of applications. The most interesting area of its application is in the creation of realistic 3D scenes, i.e. virtual reality. It can be used in the entertainment industry, design, architecture and scientific research. This paper provides a brief summary of current 3D scanning technologies, deals with some aspects of data processing required to acquire a usable 3D model and presents various 3D visualization methods with focus on stereoscopy. This processing represents large graphical data processing also in parallel computer systems pertinently.