GOBO projection for 3D measurements at highest frame rates: a performance analysis

Three-dimensional imaging: Revolving light patterns hold the key High-speed projection of light patterns is enabling scientists in Germany to image moving three-dimensional objects. Capturing the minute surface details of moving or deforming objects, such as car airbags being deployed, could hold great value for industry. Stefan Heist at Friedrich Schiller University and Fraunhofer IOF in Jena, Germany, and co-workers have used a GOBO (GOes Before Optics) projector together with two cameras to create a sensor for measuring 3D shapes. The GOBO projects a continually changing pattern onto an object of interest, and the pattern is picked up by the cameras. The team calculated the optimal design of the aperiodic light patterns to generate a dense 3D cloud of data points. Their system accurately captured and reconstructed three-dimensional dynamic processes such as a ball being kicked, at a resolution of one megapixel