From point cloud to surface: the modeling and visualization problem

In this paper we address all the problems and solutions of converting a measured point cloud into a realistic 3D polygonal model thatcan satisfy high modeling and visualization demands. Close range photogrammetry deals since many years with manual or automaticimage measurements. Now 3D scanners are also becoming a standard source for input data in many application areas, providing formillions of points. As a consequence, the problem of generating high quality polygonal meshes of objects from unorganized pointclouds is receiving more and more attention. After reviewing the different 3D shape techniques for surface reconstruction, we willreport the full process of converting a usually unstructured point cloud into a consistent polygonal model. Some triangulationalgorithms, modeling methods and visualization techniques are also described and different examples are presented.