Constructing and Rendering 3D Surfaces from from Topographical and Intensity Data using Softimage 3D

Benjamin Grosser

Manager: Visualization, Media and Imaging Laboratory

Topographical and intensity images, such as those taken from an AFM, NSOM or STM typically code height or some other parameter as a grayscale or color value in a digital image. These images can then be used as-is, or converted to 3D surfaces when appropriate for the task at hand. Most manufacturers of instruments that collect these types of images provide some method for conversion to 3D, but they are generally lacking in feature, quality and control. This report will outline a procedure for converting these images to 3D with Softimage 3D, a high-quality animation, modeling and rendering system typically used for tasks like Hollywood special effects. Basic background, format issues and a how-to for the Softimage conversion will be provided.

Imaging Technology Group
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
405 N. Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801
Technical Report 98-005

Date Issued: June 17, 1998

Copyright © 1998, Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, All Rights Reserved

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