Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for cross-sectional scanning of transparent (or nearly transparent) parts that cannot otherwise be effectively scanned, because the transparency of the part prevents the scanner from discriminating between the part and the potting material, into which the part is placed, as viewed through the transparent material. Certain coatings added to such parts create opacity where the coatings contact the parts. Thus, scanning of the coated part is not interpreted as scanning of the potting material into which the parts are placed.

Abstract: A method for generation of a surface representation of an object from layered pixel data converts the pixel data into a series of layers of ordered point clouds. The layered ordered point clouds are stitched together for form a surface representation. Cleanup and sampling of the pixel data or the ordered point could data may be performed. The method also contemplates generation of a surface representation from point data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation of a electronic domain geometric modeling data file containing internal and external features of an object of interest by first successively removing contours of material forming the object to form exposed surfaces and thereby reveal the internal and external features contour by contour and second by subsequently, successively acquiring data relative to the exposed surfaces. The geometry of each exposed surface is obtained, processed and recorded after each contour is removed. The processing is converted to perimeter data to define the internal and external features and surfaces of the object and the perimeter data is combined to yield a three dimensional electronic domain representation of the object. If desired this representation can be displayed on a computer monitor or printed onto paper.