The research described in this dissertation focuses on the development of a new approach for the generation of geometric models from multiple-view range image data.

Through intensive comparison and evaluation of different representations, the cross-section contour based representation is concluded to be ideal for modeling with range image data. The representation is shown to be at an intermediate level - compatible with both the low-level of range image data and with the need to provide relatively high-level geometric and topological information in models.

A new concept of generating partial models within device frames, frames associated with the working principle and geometry of a range sensor, is introduced. The range data are well distributed in the device frame. This good data distribution facilitates computations relevant to rendering the cross-sections required by the representation and relevent to identifying occlusions present in the image. Methodology for merging the partiai models with a current global model is developed to allow the incorporation of redundancy between the partial model and the current global model and to allow growth of the global model. A simulation of the ERIM imaging-raxlaj based range sensor, a prototype triangulation-based range sensor developed for this research and a commercial HYMARC remge sensing system are used for approach verification. The device frames associated with the sensors are derived, and used to test the modeling approaches and the developed system.

The presented research:​ demonstrates the suitability of the cross-section based representation for range-image based modeling systems;​ introduces a new concept and associated methods for generating cross-section contour models in range sensor device frames to talce advantage of well distributed data;​ develops a series of algorithms for partial modeling in the device frame and for global model integration;​ and demonstrates the feasibility of the developed new approaches for applications by testing the system for multiple sensor types.