An improved algorithm for reconstruction of the surface of the human body from 3D scanner data using local B-spline patches

There are an increasing number of applications that require the construction of computerised human body models. The work presented here is a follow-up on a previously presented surface reconstruction algorithm that has been greatly improved by following a local approach. The advantages of the method are presented along with explanation of why its results are better compared to the previous algorithm. The result is a compound, multi-segment, and yet entirely smooth and watertight surface. Such a surface has a strong potential of being used for applications of a mainly medical nature, such as calculation of surface area and physical surface reconstruction for prosthetics manufacturing.