Abstract: A 3D garment fitting method is provided. The method includes the following steps: A: 3D-scanning a mannequin to form a first 3D body shape figure file; B: wearing a garment on the mannequin to form a garment mannequin; C: 3D-scanning the garment mannequin to form a body shape and garment figure file; D: removing a part of the body shape and garment figure file including the first 3D body shape figure file to form a first 3D garment figure file; E: 3D-scanning an actual body shape of a user to form a second 3D body shape figure file; F: stretching or cutting the first 3D body shape figure file into the second 3D body shape figure file, and defining a scale of the stretching or the cutting as a 3D deformation; and G: adjusting the first 3D garment figure file according to the 3D deformation to form a second 3D garment figure file.

Abstract: Previously our 3DSOM software has solved the problem of extracting the object of interest from the scene by allowing the user to cut-out the object shape in several photographs. This is known as manual “masking”. However, we wish to avoid this step to make the system as easy to use as possible. For an unskilled user the process needs to be as simple to use as possible. We propose a method of extracting a complete closed model of an object without the user being required to do anything other than capture the shots.

Abstract: Previously our 3DSOM software has solved the problem of extracting the object of interest from the scene by allowing the user to cut-out the object shape in several photographs. This is known as manual “masking”. However, we wish to avoid this step to make the system as easy to use as possible. For an unskilled user the process needs to be as simple to use as possible. We propose a method of extracting a complete closed model of an object without the user being required to do anything other than capture the shots.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters of an imaging device with respect to an image of a scene said method comprising the steps of locating a target coordinate system in a scene, using an imaging device to capture an image of the scene, and processing the image using the target coordination system as a reference to estimate the parameters of the imaging device with respect to the image, wherein the target coordinate system comprises at least one planer target and wherein the at least one planar target contains a set of identifiable features with known relative positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters of an imaging device with respect to an image of a scene said method comprising the steps of locating a target coordinate system in a scene, using an imaging device to capture an image of the scene, and processing the image using the target coordination system as a reference to estimate the parameters of the imaging device with respect to the image, wherein the target coordinate system comprises at least one planer target and wherein the at least one planar target contains a set of identifiable features with known relative positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters of an imaging device with respect to an image of a scene said method comprising the steps of locating a target coordinate system in a scene, using an imaging device to capture an image of the scene, and processing the image using the target coordination system as a reference to estimate the parameters of the imaging device with respect to the image, wherein the target coordinate system comprises at least one planer target and wherein the at least one planar target contains a set of identifiable features with known relative positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters of an imaging device with respect to an image of a scene said method comprising the steps of locating a target coordinate system in a scene, using an imaging device to capture an image of the scene, and processing the image using the target coordination system as a reference to estimate the parameters of the imaging device with respect to the image, wherein the target coordinate system comprises at least one planer target and wherein the at least one planar target contains a set of identifiable features with known relative positions.

Abstract: This invention introduces, as one aspect, an apparatus for creating three-dimensional object model, comprising photographing means for photographing an object to be modeled for obtaining images to be used for creating the three-dimensional object model, setting means for longitudinally and latitudinally setting a relative position between the object and said photographing means, said setting means being capable of setting the object and said photographing means a plurality of different relative longitudinal and latitudinal positions, and control means for controlling said photographing means and said setting means so that a number of photographs taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a first relative latitudinal position is larger than that taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a second relative latitudinal position, the first relative latitudinal position being closer to a lateral position than the second relative latitudinal position.

Abstract: In order to edit texture data for a 3D computer model, an image showing the 3D computer model with the texture data applied thereto is generated from a user-selected viewing direction and displayed to the user. Changes are made to the image data in accordance with user instructions. Corresponding changes are made to the texture data. To preserve texture data that the user did not wish to change and to retain the quality of the original texture data, processing is performed to amend the texture data which corresponds to only the image data that was changed and not texture data which corresponds to image data unchanged by the user. In addition, processing is performed to identify each polygon in the 3D computer model which is at an oblique angle to the viewing direction of the image displayed to the user. The identified polygons are then excluded from subsequent processing so that the texture data therefor is not changed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed in which input images are processed to generate texture map data for texture rendering a generated three-dimensional computer model of object(s) appearing in the images. In order to select the portions of the images utilised, confidence data is generated indicative of the extent portions of the surface of a model are visible in each of the images. The images are then combined utilizing this confidence data, where image data representative of different spatial frequencies are blended in different ways utilizing the confidence data.

Abstract: A plurality of texture maps for a 3D computer model of an object are generated by processing images of the object, data defining the computer model, and data defining the relative positions and orientations of the images and computer model. A respective texture map is generated for the viewing position and direction of each image. Each texture map stores texture data for all parts of the computer model which are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and also texture data for all invisible parts of the computer model. Each texture map therefore stores texture data that can be used for rendering accurate images of the 3D computer model over a wide range of viewing positions and directions.

Abstract: Customer computer processing apparatus (2, 4) are connected to a service apparatus (6) via the Internet (8). Service apparatus (6) processes requests and payment details from a customer apparatus (2, 4), and, in response to a valid payment, sends instructions to the customer apparatus to enable the customer apparatus to control a printer (18) or a display panel (19) to print or display a photographic mat (24). Service apparatus (6) retains details of the photographic mat pattern for subsequent use. Images of a subject object on the photographic mat are recorded at different positions and orientations with a camera (16). Data defining the images is returned from the customer processing apparatus (2, 4) to the service apparatus (6). The service apparatus processes the image data along with the stored pattern data to identify the photographic mat features in the images and to calculate the position and orientation at which each image was recorded.

Abstract: View-dependent texture images and view-independent texture data for a 3D computer model are processed to compress each view-dependent texture image by subtracting the view-dependent data and view-independent data in a common 2D image space to generate a difference image, and compression encoding the difference image. The difference images, 3D computer model and view-independent texture data are transmitted to a second apparatus, where the difference data and view-independent texture data are recombined in a common 2D image space as part of the processing to render an image.

Abstract: A texture map for texturing the polygon mesh of a 3D computer model during rendering is generated by defining a respective triangle within the texture map for each triangle in the polygon mesh to create a texture coordinate map, and allocating image data to each defined triangle. To generate the texture coordinate map, the triangles are defined so that the area of each triangle is dependent upon the content of texture data to be stored therein. More particularly, triangles required to store texture data with a relatively large amount of detail have a relatively large area and triangles which are required to store texture data with relatively little detail have a relatively small area. In this way, more area is allocated for the storage of detailed texture data, thereby reducing the amount of information which is lost from the texture data during the creation of a texture map.

Abstract: A texture map (188) for texturing a polygon mesh 3D computer model (150) during rendering is generated by defining a respective triangle within the texture map for each triangle in the polygon mesh to create a texture coordinate map (170), and allocating image data to each defined triangle. To generate the texture coordinate map, the triangles in the polygon mesh are processed to generate a plurality of lists, each list identifying adjacent triangles in the mesh having shapes which can be packed into strips (173-179) of the texture coordinate map without significant shape distortion. The triangle lists are then packed into the texture coordinate map strips. No padding is defined between triangles in the same list, only between triangles of different lists. Image data is allocated to each triangle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating frequency component image data representative of image information of a plurality of different spatial frequencies of an image of at least part of a subject from a predefined view. A receiver receives a plurality of images comprising image data representative of a subject from a plurality of view points. For each of a plurality of received images, frequency component image data representative of image information of a plurality of different spatial frequencies within images received by the receiver is determined, and projections of the frequency component image data projected to a predefined view are also determined. Visibility data indicative of the relative visibility of portions of the surface of a subject from viewpoints is then determined.

Abstract: In a computer processing apparatus 2, a 3D computer model comprising a polygon mesh 500 representing the visual hull of an object 300 is generated by processing images of the object recorded at different positions and orientations to back-project the silhouette of the object in each image to give a respective cone which constrains the volume of 3D space occupied by the object. To remove concave and convex artefacts 510 in the polygon mesh 500, the polygon mesh is projected into each image to give a respective reference silhouette for each image. A change is made to at least one edge or vertex in the polygon mesh to give a refined polygon mesh, which is then projected into each image. The resulting silhouette in each image is tested against the corresponding reference silhouette.

Abstract: In an image processing system, a subject object 210 is placed on top of an object support 220 on a calibration object 34 having a known pattern of features thereon. Images recorded at different positions and orientations are processed to generate a three-dimensional computer model of the subject object alone or the subject object together with the calibration object. By imaging the subject object 210 on an object support instead of placing it directly on the calibration object, the user is provided with flexibility in the selection of the pattern and color of the calibration and the selection of the imaging positions and orientations. By providing an object support 220 having a top surface on which the subject object 210 sits which does not protrude from beneath the base of the subject object 210, the user is provided with flexibility in the selection of lighting conditions.

Abstract: Images of a subject recorded from different viewing positions and directions are processed to calculate the positions and directions, and a 3D computer model of the subject is generated. A further image of the subject, not used in the processing to generate the computer model but showing a part of the subject for which texture data is to be generated, is registered with the computer model by displaying the further image as a stationary image and overlaying images of the computer model from a virtual camera moved by a user. The user sees both the computer model and the stationary image and moves the virtual camera to generate a view of the computer model which corresponds to that shown in the stationary image. The imaging parameters of the virtual camera are stored and texture data for the computer model is generated using the image data from the further image.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for combining three or more texture maps 200–208 together to generate a single, combined texture map 220. The texture maps are repeatedly combined together in pairs, with each pair generating a larger texture map for subsequent combination with another texture map, until only one texture map remains containing all of the original texture maps.