Accurate and efficient algorithm for simulation of fringe projection system

Because of intrinsic drawbacks of existing algorithm for optical simulation: first, there is an accuracy problem, finite-precision machine arithmetic introduces error into line-surface intersection calculation. Second, these algorithms do not or partially consider process of shadow modeling. In this paper, we present an algorithm based on geometric analysis to simulate fringe projection system, a variable-step-iterative (VSI) algorithm is used to search line-surface intersection point, which can avoid many difficult problems. The proposed algorithm can accurately identify the shadow. Simulation results shows the reconstructed RMS errors obtained by our algorithm are far smaller than those obtained by previous reported algorithm. Simulation results validate our VSI algorithm can obtain more accurate results than many previous intersection point algorithms. Simulation results indicate our shadow modeling algorithm exceeds many existing shadow modeling algorithm, and is equivalent to shadow volumes algorithm, but our shadow algorithm runs faster than shadow volumes algorithm.