A method for touch free determination of a positon and three dimensional shape of products (P1, P2) on a surface that extends in a longitudinal direction (10, X), wherein - a pattern that is unambiguously coded at least in sections and which includes optically scanable markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is radiated in a defined manner transversally over the surface with the products (P1, P2) at least temporarily. - an actual position (SP1, SP2) of edges of the markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is captured on an image line by a line camera (K, K1, K2) which captures the image line which extends transversally to the markings in a portion of the markings, - an offset (V1, V2) of an edge is determined in the line direction (12, Y) from a known nominal position (SP1', SP2') of the edge in a line direction (12,Y) and its actual position (SP1, SP2) and computed into an elevation value (H2, H3). - an image line elevation profile is determined from the elevation values (h2, h3) of all image line points, - the preceding steps are repeated after a relative movement of the surface in the longitudinal direction (10, X) wherein the steps are repeated relative to the markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) and relative to the image line, - a three dimensional profile of the surface including the products (P1, P2) placed thereon is generated from image line elevation profiles which are sequential advantageously without gaps there between, characterized in that the unambiguously coded pattern includes portions (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) in the line direction (12, Y) in which portions a color of the pattern, thus of the markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) remains constant within a portion (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) wherein two adjacent portions (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) have different colors, wherein each line camera (K, K1, K2) is arranged in the line direction (12, Y) respectively in a center between two respectively adjacent projectors or beamers, wherein at least two projectors or beamers are arranged so that on a surface of the tallest product (P1, P2) to be detected a last marking of one portion follows directly after a first marking of an adjacent portion or the portions (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) still overlap slightly at this location. - a pattern that is unambiguously coded at least in sections and which includes optically scanable markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is radiated in a defined manner transversally over the surface with the products (P1, P2) at least temporarily. - an actual position (SP1, SP2) of edges of the markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is captured on an image line by a line camera (K, K1, K2) which captures the image line which extends transversally to the markings in a portion of the markings, - an offset (V1, V2) of an edge is determined in the line direction (12, Y) from a known nominal position (SP1', SP2') of the edge in a line direction (12,Y) and its actual position (SP1, SP2) and computed into an elevation value (H2, H3). - an image line elevation profile is determined from the elevation values (h2, h3) of all image line points, - the preceding steps are repeated after a relative movement of the surface in the longitudinal direction (10, X) wherein the steps are repeated relative to the markings (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) and relative to the image line, - a three dimensional profile of the surface including the products (P1, P2) placed thereon is generated from image line elevation profiles which are sequential advantageously without gaps there between,