US Patent 6952204 3D computer modelling apparatus

In a computer processing apparatus 3002, a number of depth maps 3200-3270 of a subject object 3300 are processed to generate a 3D computer model of the subject object. The points in each depth map are connected to give a 2D mesh, and each 2D mesh is then projected into 3D space in dependence upon the depths of the points in the mesh, thereby giving a 3D mesh 3610. Side faces for each edge of the 3D mesh are added extending away from the depth map, thereby generating a respective polyhedron 3600 for each depth map. The 3D computer model of the subject object is generated by calculating the intersections of the polyhedra.