Virtual Reconstruction serves as an introduction to the principles of three-dimensional visualization techniques as they relate to fossil reconstruction and reverse engineering. It covers data acquisition, processing, virtual reconstruction, visualization, manipulation, reverse engineering, and applications to biomedicine. An adjunct Web site provides access to software, as well as sample data sets and relevant Internet links.
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction 1
1 Virtual Reconstruction 7
2 Data Representation 21
3 Data Acquisition 57
4 Image Data Processing 97
5 Visualization and Interaction 129
6 Virtual Fossil Reconstruction 155
7 From Virtual Reality to Real Virtuality 209
8 Morphometric Analysis 225
Appendix A Image Data Acquisition Systems: Performance Considerations 277
Appendix B Parameters Influencing the Quality of CT Image Data 281
Appendix C CT Scanning of Fossil Specimens and Recent Skeletal Specimens: How to Proceed? 285
Appendix D Object Manipulation in Virtual Space 293
Appendix E A Parsimonious Approach to Correction of Taphonomic Deformation 297
Appendix F Morphometry 299
References 309
Index 325