Photographing apparatus, device and method for obtaining images to be used for creating a three-dimensional model

Abstract

This invention introduces, as one aspect, an apparatus for creating three-dimensional object model, comprising photographing means for photographing an object to be modeled for obtaining images to be used for creating the three-dimensional object model, setting means for longitudinally and latitudinally setting a relative position between the object and said photographing means, said setting means being capable of setting the object and said photographing means a plurality of different relative longitudinal and latitudinal positions, and control means for controlling said photographing means and said setting means so that a number of photographs taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a first relative latitudinal position is larger than that taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a second relative latitudinal position, the first relative latitudinal position being closer to a lateral position than the second relative latitudinal position. Accordingly, it becomes possible to minimize the number of photographs for obtaining necessary images to effectively keep a high quality three-dimensional object model, the number of user's manual operations is reduced, and the total photographing time for creating a three-dimensional object model is significantly decreased.