Depth Enhanced Panoramas
Gleb Bahmutov, Voicu S. Popescu, Elisha P. Sacks · 2005
We describe a method for interactive modeling and visualization of room-size indoor scenes that is fast, easy, and inexpensive. We have designed a novel data acquisition device, called a ModelCamera, that consists of a video camera with an attached laser system that generates a 7x7 pattern of depth samples. The operator pans and tilts the ModelCamera around the camera's center of projection and it acquires a sequence of color and depth frames. The frames are registered in world coordinates and are merged into an evolving scene model, called a depth enhanced panorama. The model is visualized continually; the immediate feedback allows the operator to monitor the model quality and to identify missing scene surfaces. Our approach extends color panoramas to support viewpoint translation, while retaining their speed, convenience, and low cost (Figure 1). It is a practical alternative to modeling systems that provide complete models at a high cost.