KEYWORDS: 3D modeling, Photography, LIDAR, 3D acquisition, Solid modeling, Data modeling, 3D image processing, Automatic target recognition, Calibration, Model-based design
A long standing need for the application of laser radar (LADAR) to a wider range of targets is a technique for
creating a "target model" from target photographs. This is feasible since LADAR images are 3D and photographs at
selected azimuth/elevation angles will allow the required models to be created. Preferred photographic images of a
wide range of selected targets were specified and collected. These photographs were processed using code
developed in house and some commercial software packages. These "models" were used in model-based automatic
target recognition (ATR) algorithms. The ATR performance was excellent. This technique differs significantly from
other techniques for creating target models. Those techniques require CAD models which are much harder to
manipulate and contain extraneous detail. The technique in this paper develops the photographic-based target
models in component form so that any component (e.g., turret of a tank) can be independently manipulated, such as
rotating the turret. This new technique also allows models to be generated for targets for which no actual LADAR
data has ever been collected. A summary of the steps used in the modeling process is as follows: start with a set of
input photographs, calibrate the imagery into a 3D world space to generate points corresponding to target features,
create target geometry by connecting points with surfaces, mark all co-located points in each image view and verify
alignment of points, place in a 3D space, create models by creating surfaces (i.e., connect points with planar curves)
and scale target into real-world coordinates.
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