Patent for generating 3D texture maps

Raindrop Geomagic receives US patent for generating 3D texture maps from colour points - Applications range from art to archeology to industrial design.

Raindrop Geomagic has received a US patent (patent # US 6,853,373 B2) for its unique process of converting 3D scanner output into a 3D model with accurate geometry, colour and textures.

The patented process generates a true 3D texture map, including normals, colours, displacement and bump maps for any shape.

Texture mapping has traditionally meant applying a 2D image onto a 3D model, then manipulating it to fit.

It often requires warping, stitching of the map to cover different parts of the model, and other fitting and clean-up steps.

In contrast, Raindrop Geomagic's texture maps are computed directly in 3D space.

The process is automatic and instant when taking advantage of hardware texture support within graphics cards.

"Our software processes a 3D scanner's output - xyz coordinates and rgb colour values - and automatically generates a dense 3D model with true texture maps," says Ping Fu, Raindrop Geomagic's president and CEO.

"Users end up with a photorealistic 3D model without the time, effort and limitations of applying 2D texture maps." Among the applications for Raindrop Geomagic's invention are creating new toys based on classic, time-honoured favourites; designing unique consumer products with organic shapes and textures; recreating sculpture and art works faithful to their origins; and producing digital archives of archeological treasures.

The patent, titled "Methods, Apparatus and Computer Program Products for Modeling Three-Dimensional Coloured Objects," is the fourth US patent Raindrop Geomagic has received for its technologies, with four others pending.

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