Virtual Image Converter- Platform Tool

 Virtual Image Converter- Platform Tool:

An image converter platform that converts 2-dimensional images to 3-dimensional images by using Python and to create Mesh Surface for 3D color print with an export feature that supports VRML 2.0(or X3D) file.

In Detail:

Steps to create:

• 1. Read 2D image (PNG, JPEG, GIF, etc as long as PIL or matplotlib's imread support)

• 2. Convert image to grayscale

• 3. Create 3D surface mesh by interpreting the grayscale color value of each pixel in 2D image as z-axis height (warp height map?)

• 4a. Create a flat bottom surface at a certain z (specified by elevation argument)

• 4b. Create a 3D bottom surface beneath (specified by thickness argument) the top surface created in step 3 by projecting all the vertices downwards along normal vectors (Note: it's not a simple offset in the z-direction)

• 5. Connect the two surfaces to make a watertight solid for 3D printing

• 6. Cut out solid where z is less than a certain value (specified by z_mask argument) i.e. take CSG intersection

• 7. Export the resulting solid as an STL file

• 8. Map colored 2D image as a texture onto the top 3D surface (image read in step 1 or another texture image)

• 9. Setup lighting(s), camera, etc and take a screenshot of the rendering

• 10. Export it as VRML2.0 (or X3D) file and package it up for 3D color print at Shapeways