Object shape expression apparatus.

摘要

The object shape expression apparatus includes a surface data producing units (302, 305, 401, 402) which produces three dimensional coordinate data of the object (201) surface by impinging a slit light (303) on the object (201). A surface orientation calculation means (101) calculates tilted angle of normal lines extended from said object (201) surface defined by said three dimensional coordinate data. An area dividing unit (104) divides the three dimensional data into a plurality of sets such that the surface orientation ( theta and phi ) 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 (Sij) conforming the object (201) surface. A plane patch generator (105) generates flat or curved plane patches for each of area (Sij) to form a three dimensional model data representing the object (201). Since the object surface (201) is divided into areas based on the surface orientation thereof, the portion changing its configuration greater is expressed by more areas (Sij).