Shape recovery from one image under multiple light sources

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a rectangular light source model and a novel method for recovering surface shape from one image under multiple planar light sources using shape-from-shading(SFS). This method can be extended to the case of multiple sources of different shapes [16, 15] . In indoor environments, the exact 3D positions (usually on the ceiling or walls) of the light sources are known. Assuming that the target object is small relative to the distances from the sources, we have derived a reflectance map for the Lambertian surface of an object. Hence, the shape recovery can be performed using SFS technique. This is a significant step towards the application of SFS in uncontrolled practical environments. Our method is verified by many examples of simulations and real experiments and the results are good.