Text Size
- Home
-
News
Advanced computing news from Communications of the ACM, other ACM resources, and from around the Web.
- Blogs
- Opinion
-
Browse by Subject
Recent articles from Communications organized into categories that encompass the broad scope of computing.
-
Magazine Archive
-
Careers
Jump-start your career with information on trends, opportunities and jobs – in both industry and academia.
- ACM Resources
-
Subscribe
Receive the benefits of ACM membership with a subscription to its flagship publication, Communications of the ACM.
This Article
ACM TechNews
Creating 3D Models With a Simple Webcam
![[article image]](/system/assets/0000/1832/111309_UCambridge_3D_Modeling.large.jpg?1258145654&1258145654 "object 3D reconstruction")
Object 3D reconstruction with texture mapping.
Credit: University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge researchers have developed a simple and affordable method for constructing virtual three-dimensional (3D) models, which should make 3D modeling more accessible. The new program requires only a basic Web camera in order for users to build 3D models of textured objects in real time.
The system collects live video when an object is moved in front of the Webcam, and then reconstructs the object online. The software detects points on the object, uses them to estimate object structure from the motion of the camera or the object, and computes the Delaunay tetrahedralization of the points. The system records the points in a mesh of tetrahedra, which is where the object's surface mesh is embedded. The invalid tetrahedra are removed to obtain the surface mesh based on a probabilistic carving algorithm and the object texture is applied to the 3D mesh in order to clean up the final reconstruction and produce a realistic model.
The Cambridge team presented the system at the 20th British Machine Vision Conference in London.
From University of Cambridge
View Full Article
Abstracts Copyright © 2009 Information Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA 
Sign In To Comment On This Article
Create A Web Account
If you are an ACM member, Communications subscriber, Digital Library subscriber, or use your institution's subscription, please set up a web account to access comments, premium content and additional site features.
If you are a SIG member or member of the general public, you may set up a web account to comment on free articles and sign up for email alerts.
Tools For Readers
Related ACM Resources
Conferences:
- ISPD 2010: ACM International Symposium on Physical Design - March 14, 2010 – March 17, 2010; San Francisco …
Books:
- Essential LINQ - Charlie Calvert and Dinesh Kulkarni
Courses:
- What's New in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 - This online course introduces the new features and functionality in the latest version of Microsoft Office Outlook. In addition to managing e-mail, schedules, and contacts …
About Communications |
Join ACM 
|
Renew |
Subscribe |
Sign In |
For Authors |
For Advertisers |
Privacy |
Site Map |
Help |
Contact Us
Copyright © 2009 by the ACM. All rights reserved.