Analytical evaluation of algorithms for point cloud surface reconstruction using shape features

Abstract

In computer vision and graphics, reconstruction of a three-dimensional surface from a point cloud is a well-studied research area. As the surface contains information that can be measured, the application of surface reconstruction may be potentially important for applications in bioimaging. In the past decade, a number of algorithms for surface reconstruction have been developed. Generally speaking, these algorithms can be separated into two categories: explicit representation and implicit approximation. Most of these algorithms have a sound basis in mathematical theory. However, so far, no analytical evaluation between these algorithms has been presented. The straightforward method of evaluation has been by convincing through visual inspection. Therefore, we design an analytical approach by selecting surface distance, surface area, and surface curvature as three major surface descriptors. We evaluate these features in varied conditions. Our ground truth values are obtained from analytical shapes: the sphere, the ellipsoid, and the oval. Through evaluation we search for a method that can preserve the surface characteristics best and which is robust in the presence of noise. The results obtained from our experiments indicate that Poisson reconstruction method performs best. This outcome can now be used to produce reliable surface reconstruction of biological models.