Title: Computer rapid design I: accuracy analysis

Authors: Nuno M.F. Alves, Paulo J.S. Bartolo, Jose C. Ferreira

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apart. 4163, 2401–951 Leiria, Portugal. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apart. 4163, 2401–951 Leiria and Institute of Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, Portugal. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049–001 Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract: A new biologically based CAD tool (BioCAD), based on a hybrid modelling approach, was developed for the rapid generation of computer models from existing large objects. This hybrid method uses the more appropriated algorithms and procedures from both photogrammetry and computer vision in combination with biologically based algorithms replicating the human vision process into a computer programme. This BioCAD system, designed to automatically produce high-quality models, uses two-dimensional (2D) photos to create three-dimensional (3D) computer models, either to produce sophisticated photo-realistic renderings, 2D drawings, or to generate surface models for simulation purposes and rapid prototyping applications. To achieve accurate results on the 3D computer models, all the error sources must be analysed. The calibration procedure is crucial, as errors arising from this first process will have a great impact on the 3D model. A detailed distortion analysis of digital images for BioCAD is performed in order to achieve a higher accuracy of results through a novel and automatic calibration procedure called ||ciliary||.

Keywords: BioCAD; calibration; computer vision; distortion; human vision; photogrammetry; reverse design; biology based CAD; surface models; simulation; rapid prototyping; photorealistic rendering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2004.005713

International Journal of Product Development, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.183 - 202

Published online: 24 Nov 2004 *

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