Camera system for capturing three dimensional images
Systems and methods described below provide for rapid imaging of an object and reconstruction of a 3D image of the object. The imaging system is configured to obtain numerous images of an object from many angles around the object. The imaging system includes a camera rig which supports several cameras, with the viewing angle of each camera directed to the object. The camera rig is rotatable about the object, or vice-versa, in order to obtain images around the entirety of the object. The location of each camera is used by an imaging processing system to match adjacent images to be stitched together, avoiding the need to compare edges of a number of images to match an image to an adjacent image.
1. A system for obtaining images of an object for 3D reconstruction, said system comprising:
a camera rig comprising a camera support structure disposed on a camera boom, a plurality of cameras disposed on a camera support structure, said plurality of cameras disposed in an arcuate array on the camera support structure;
said camera boom configured to hold the camera support system in a first longitudinal position of an imaging space surrounding the object, in a first hemisphere of the imaging space surrounding the object; said camera support structure translatable on the camera boom to position the camera support structure in a second hemisphere of the imaging space while maintaining the camera support system in the first longitudinal position;
a pedestal configured to hold the object proximate the polar axis of the imaging space, said pedestal configured to rotate the object about the polar axis
a control system operable control the camera boom and camera support structure to (1) operate the plurality of cameras on the camera support structure to obtain a first set of images of the object from a first viewpoint, (2) rotate the pedestal about the polar axis of the imaging space and operate the plurality of cameras on the camera support structure to obtain a second set of images of the object from a second viewpoint, and so on, to obtain images of the object from multiple viewpoints about the circumference of the object; and
(3) control the camera boom to translate the camera support structure to position the camera support structure in a second hemisphere of the imaging space and operate the plurality of cameras on the camera support structure to obtain a first set of images of the object from a first viewpoint in the second hemisphere and (4) rotate the pedestal about the polar axis of the imaging space and operate the plurality of cameras on the camera support structure to obtain a second set of images of the object from a second viewpoint in the second hemisphere, and so on, to obtain images of the object from multiple viewpoints in the second hemisphere; and
an image processing system operable to receive the images from the plurality of cameras and process the images obtained from the plurality of cameras, and reconstruct a 3D model of the object from the images.