The 3D motion picture camera – about single-shot, high resolution 3D-imaging

At recent DGaO conferences we introduced experiments towards a single shot 3D-movie camera, meaning that each single camera frame incorporates a complete 3D map, as a hologram does. The camera is based on multi-line triangulation. As the line density is limited due to the sampling theorem and ambiguity problems, it is extremely difficult to achieve an information efficiency in the range of about 100.000 (independent, non interpolated) 3D-points with a 1 Mpix camera. From the gold standard “fringe projection triangulation” we estimate the ultimate limit being 330.000 3D-points for a 1 Mpix camera. Now we introduce a novel concept that acquires nearly 300.000 3D-points with a 1 Mpix camera. The new concept fully exploits the theoretically available space bandwidth product, and it displays a lateral and longitudinal resolution close to the physical limit as well. The camera works with static illumination which allows for high intensity projection. Combined with the single-shot ability, the 3D frame rate is as fast as the camera speed. That will enable high speed 3D documentation of fast processes, such as crash tests. We will show 3D-movies taken with our 3D motion picture camera.