Object shape expression apparatus

摘要

The object shape expression apparatus includes a surface data producing unit which produces three dimensional coordinate data of the object surface by impinging a slit light on the object. A surface orientation calculation means calculates tilted angle of normal lines extended from said object surface defined by said three dimensional coordinate data. An area dividing unit divides the three dimensional data into a plurality of sets such that the surface orientation included in each sets are within a predetermined range. Each of thus obtained sets of three dimensional coordinate data represents a single unit of areas conforming the object surface. A plane patch generator generates flat or curved plane patches for each of area to form a three dimensional model data representing the object. Since the object surface is divided into areas based on the surface orientation thereof, the portion changing its configuration greater is expressed by more areas.