Three-dimensional shape measurement for an underwater object based on two-dimensional grating pattern projection

In this paper, a practical method using phase tracking and ray tracing algorithms is proposed for measuring the three-dimensional (3D) shape of an underwater object. A 2D projected sinusoidal fringe goes through the water and illuminates the tested object. Firstly, the phase tracking algorithm is employed to identify homologous points in phase distributions of the deformed fringe captured by the camera and these of the fringe pattern projected by the projector. The projector is regarded as a special camera as regards the stereovision principle. In the calibrated system, both ray directions of the homologous points can be easily figured out. Secondly, the ray tracing algorithm is used to trace the propagation path of each ray and to calculate the 3D coordinates of each point on the tested object's surface. Finally, the whole shape of the tested object can be reconstructed.