Simultaneously, a second video sensor in the 3030 acquires color information. The scanning process captures an array of digitized points, with each point represented by x, y, and z coordinates for shape and 24-bit RGB coordinates for color. The 3030 transfers this data via a SCSI interface to a graphics workstation for immediate viewing and modification. Color information in 3D digitizing makes available nearly all the information a graphics application needs to fully describe an object. In addition to enhancing realism in graphic models, color denotes boundaries that are not obvious from shape alone.
Color indicates surface texture and reflectance.
And by marking an object's surface before digitizing, one can use color to transfer ideas from the object to the graphic model. In specialized applications, color can reveal characteristics such as skin discoloration, the locations of landmarks, or other features. Working in the infrared region, a customized color subsystem could even detect surface temperature. The PS motion system is designed to scan the head and face of live subjects quickly, comfortably, and safely. Because the system moves the digitizer while the subject remains stationary, the PS works well in many applications involving subjects that are inconvenient to move during digitizing.