Image Analyzer 3D plugin

3D modeling

The 3D modeling plugin can produce models from either a depth map or a lathe profile, and a texture can be assigned to the model. Below is a few examples/tutorial pictures created with the plugin. Note that you can create these models yourself using only the images available from this page.

Top of Z-stack
Bottom of Z-stack

Result of combining serial images
Depth map

The example images presented here were made availabe by Dr. C.H. Weischer of Biomedical Innovation.

IMAGE NOTES:
The red square marks the part of the coin that we are interested in. Six images was acquired at different Z values and combined using the MultiFocus plugin. Note that the original images are 3 megapixels but have been decimated to reduce download time.

Instructions:
Based on the six images of the copper coin [shown above] it is possible to produce a depth map. A depth map is either a grayscale image or a float map. Lathe profiles can be given either as a grayscale image (see BishopProfile.png or LampProfile.png; inside the programs install folder) or an expression.

To use an expression, open the expression evaluator (F11), enter an expression like "sqrt(1-y^2)" (this is a semicircle) and select "Generate from lathe profile" in the plugin menu. Here a texture can be assigned to the model. The semicircle will result in a 3D ball.

To change the appearence of the model, change the rendering method or surface reflection in the menu. The light source can be moved using the right mouse button. Note that the light source is modelled as light comming from very far away (like sunlight on earth) and the distance cannot be changed - only the angle.

Both the rendered model and a distance map (the Z-buffer) can be returned to Image Analyzer for file export.
Using this depth map and the combined image as texture, the following 3D model was constructed:

3D model from lathe profile and texture:

Profile

Texture

Result

Another way of creating a 3D model is to enter an expression for the lathe profile in the expression evaluator of Image Analyzer:

The following is the expression for a semicircle:
sqrt(1-y^2)

Combined with a world map, this produces a globe.