Simulation-based scanning of a structured light system for objects without overhangs

This paper proposes an automated scanning process of a structured light system for objects without overhangs. The processes for scanning those objects need to plan scanning directions that minimise the missing area on a three-dimensional surface during the scanning process. Thus, the processes require an approach that finds the next scanning direction efficiently in terms of computational costs. This paper develops a scanning simulation approach to meet this requirement. In order to apply the developed approach, the proposed process generates a solution space for candidate-scanning directions, and represents an intermediate 3D model. The developed approach traverses the solution space in a virtual environment and executes virtual scanning for the intermediate 3D model. The virtual scanning result of each candidate-scanning direction is analysed in order to evaluate the contribution for filling missing area. The proposed process defines key scanning directions in the solution space through the iterative execution of the developed approach. The proposed process has been implemented, and applied to the scanning experiments of dental impressions.