Virtual Photometric Environment using Projector

We project photometric patterns based on reflection properties acquired from a real object onto the surface of another object. By controlling lighting directions and reflection properties, we reproduce a virtual lighting environment on a physical shape.

Can a white vase keep its shape while showing the shine and brightness of a different ceramic object? This study creates a virtual lighting environment by projecting patterns of light onto the surface of a real object.

We first acquire information about how a real object reflects light and use it to create the projected patterns. The receiving object acts as a three-dimensional screen. By controlling the lighting direction and reflection properties represented in the patterns, we reproduce how its appearance would change. The virtual lighting is shown on a physical object in front of the viewer, rather than only on a flat screen.

As a demonstration, we reproduced the reflection properties of Japanese ceramic artwork on a white plaster vase. The system showed how its appearance changed as the lighting direction was varied.

• Yasuhiro Mukaigawa, Masashi Nishiyama, and Takeshi Shakunaga,
  Virtual Photometric Environment using Projector, Proceedings of International Conference on Virtual Systems and Multimedia (VSMM), pp. 544 - 553, November 2004.

• 向川 康博, 西山 正志, 尺長 健,
  スクリーン物体への光学パターン投影による仮想光学環境の実現,
  電子情報通信学会論文誌 D-II, Vol.J84-D-II, No.7, pp.1448 - 1455, 2001.
• 西山 正志, 向川 康博, 尺長健,
  実３次元形状への光学パターン投影による仮想照明環境の実現, 画像の認識・理解シンポジウム (MIRU), Vol. 1, pp. 451 - 456, July 2000. [優秀ビデオ賞]

• Virtual Photometric Environment