System and method for mapping two-dimensional image data to a three-dimensional faceted model

1. A method for mapping two-dimensional image data onto a three-dimensional graphic model of an object, comprising:

obtaining a first two-dimensional image of the object, the first two-dimensional image having data pertaining to the object;

viewing a three-dimensional model of the object on a graphic user interface, the three-dimensional model having at least a first facet and a second facet;

aligning the first two-dimensional image with the three-dimensional model on the graphic user interface;

generating an acceptance cone for each facet so as to provide a geometry which defines acceptable mapping criteria based upon a threshold angle from a user, each acceptance cone having a rectangular cone base which is coplanar with a display surface;

generating a normal vector associated with the first facet;

mapping the data from the first two-dimensional image onto at least the first facet in the three-dimensional model based upon the normal vector associated with the first facet being located inside the acceptance cone associated with the first facet; and

masking the first facet so as to prevent data from the two-dimensional image from mapping onto the first facet based upon the normal vector associated with the first facet being located outside the acceptance cone associated with the first facet;

wherein each acceptance cone also having a vertex which coincides with a vector base of the normal vector;

wherein aligning the first two-dimensional image with the three-dimensional model occurs by at least one of the following methods;

moving the first two-dimensional image;

translating the three-dimensional model;

scaling the three-dimensional model; and

rotating the three-dimensional model.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the mapping the data from the first two-dimensional image onto at least the first facet in the three-dimensional model comprises:

masking the second facet so as to prevent data from the two-dimensional image from mapping onto the second facet.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein masking the second facet so as to prevent data from the first two-dimensional image from mapping onto the second facet is based upon a normal vector associated with the second facet being located outside the acceptance cone associated with the second facet.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining a second two-dimensional image of the object, the second two-dimensional image having a data pertaining to the object from a different orientation as that of the first two-dimensional image;

aligning the second two-dimensional image with the three-dimensional model on the graphic user interface; and

mapping the data from the second two-dimensional image onto at least the second facet in the three-dimensional model.

5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

preventing the data from the second two-dimensional image from remapping onto at least the first facet in the three-dimensional model;

wherein preventing the data from the second two-dimensional image from remapping onto at least the first facet in the three-dimensional model is based upon a normal vector associated with the first facet being located inside the acceptance cone associated with the first facet.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first facet and the second facet is triangular.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first facet and the second facet is rectangular.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein aligning the first two-dimensional image with the three-dimensional model on the graphic user interface is performed by the user.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein aligning the first two-dimensional image with the three-dimensional model on the graphic user interface is performed by an automated process.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data from the first two-dimensional image includes temperature data.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional model, after mapping the data from the first two-dimensional image onto at least the first facet in the three-dimensional model, is a model having information for developing an infrared radiation signature of the object.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the object is an aircraft.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first two-dimensional image of the object is a thermographic image.

14. A method for mapping a two-dimensional image data onto a three-dimensional graphic model of an object, comprising:

taking a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object, each two-dimensional image having data;

viewing a three-dimensional model of the object on a graphic user interface, the three-dimensional model having a plurality of facets;

mapping the data from the plurality of two-dimensional images onto the three-dimensional model;

generating an acceptance cone associated with individual facets of the three-dimensional model, the acceptance cone being based upon a selective threshold angle and an aspect ratio from a user, each acceptance cone having a rectangular cone base sized relative to the aspect ratio which is coplanar with a display surface, each acceptance cone also having a vertex which coincides with a vector base of a normal vector; and

analyzing the three-dimensional model, after the data from the plurality of two-dimensional images has been mapped onto the three-dimensional model, so as to develop a temperature analysis of the object;

wherein a side of the acceptance cone is equal to the selective threshold angle;

wherein the mapping the data from the plurality of two-dimensional images onto the three-dimensional model is based upon the vector associated with the facet being located inside the acceptance cone associated with the facet.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the object is an aircraft and the temperature analysis represents an infrared radiation signature.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the two-dimensional images include selected colors, the colors being associated with selected temperatures.

17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the mapping of the data from the plurality of two-dimensional images onto the three-dimensional model includes individually mapping the data from each of the two-dimensional images until the desired facets of the three-dimensional model have been mapped.

18. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of facets are shapes in a three-dimensional environment, each facet being representative of a portion of an outside surface of the object.

19. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the three-dimensional object is a wireframe model having a plurality of node points in a three-dimensional space, each node point being connected to at least another node point with a line, thereby forming a plurality of facets.

20. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:

masking a specified facet to prevent mapping the data from the plurality of two-dimensional images onto the specified facet of the three-dimensional model;

wherein the masking of the specified facet is due to a portion of the normal vector of the specified facet being located outside of the acceptance cone.