Sectioning and Creation of Three Dimensional Bodies by Computer Graphics
Whitmore Rl, David Marlow · 1979
The problems of extracting two-dimensional information from a three-dimensional shape, and assembling a three-dimensional shape from two-dimensional data, are common to many areas of engineering. The paper concentrates on a bioengineering application - the red cell. Many pathological conditions result in changes in the shape of the red cell which have to be recognised visually, usually by optical microscopy. The small size and inherent flexibility of the red cell make this a highly skilled operation and subject to significant error. Electron microscopy can improve the resolution but at the expense of preparation problems. Computer graphics are being used to produce sections of red cells for recognition studies in relation to biopsy sections, and also to generate three-dimensional representations for comparison with, for example, scanning electron microscope photographs. Techniques include stereo pairs, and closed three-dimensional, curvilinear surfaces with hidden line suppression. The modes of presentation are explored for the realism of the image produced, the ease of use of the graphical output, the program complexity and the computer time requirements.