Model for 3D printing created from multiview 2D silhouette images

In this study, a simple method to construct printable models of objects for use in three-dimensional (3D) printing is demonstrated. A camera is used to capture several series of images of an object placed on a rotatory table, with each series comprising images of the object in a different orientation. Furthermore, a novel alignment-by-image-matching method is employed to effectively integrate local camera positions into a global coordinate system. All series of images are transformed and set into a 3D space according to their camera parameters. A 3D model of the object is then constructed using the shape-from-silhouette method. Results show that the variations between an object and its printed model are within acceptable limits.