title: A fast 3D reconstruction system with a low-cost camera accessory.
abstract: Photometric stereo is a three dimensional (3D) imaging technique that uses multiple 2D images, obtained from a fixed camera perspective, with different illumination directions. Compared to other 3D imaging methods such as geometry modeling and 3D-scanning, it comes with a number of advantages, such as having a simple and efficient reconstruction routine. In this work, we describe a low-cost accessory to a commercial digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera system allowing fast reconstruction of 3D objects using photometric stereo. The accessory consists of four white LED lights fixed to the lens of a commercial DSLR camera and a USB programmable controller board to sequentially control the illumination. 3D images are derived for different objects with varying geometric complexity and results are presented, showing a typical height error of <3 mm for a 50 mm sized object.
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Yiwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Graham M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Miles J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Padgett
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Edgar