Fast Axis Estimation from 3D Axially-Symmetric Object's Fragment

To reduce the computational cost required for assembling vessel fragments using surface geometry, this paper proposes a fast axis estimation method. Using circular constraint of pottery and local planar patch assumption, it finds the axis of the symmetry. First, the circular constraint on each cylinder is used. A circular symmetric pot can be thought of unions of many cylinders with different radii. It selects one arbitrary point on the pot fragment surface and searches a path where a circumference exists on that point. The variance of curvature will be calculated along the path and the path with the minimum variance will be selected. The symmetric axis will pass through the center of that circle. Second, the planar patch assumption and profile curve is used. The surface of fragment is divided into small patches and each patch is assumed as plane. The surface normal of each patch will intersects the axis in 3D space since each planar patch faces the center of the pot. A histogram method and minimization of the profile curve error are utilized to find the probability distribution of the axis location. Experimental results demonstrate the improvement in speed and robustness of the algorithms