Patent ID: 7088432

Claim:
A method for forming a three-dimensional structure from a computer-stored image, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a photo-curable composition; (b) providing a source of actinic light for curing said composition; (c) arranging a digital micro-mirror display to reflect said actinic light to said composition; (d) providing a computer stored image; (e) computer-generating a plurality of sequential two-dimensional slices from said image; (f) using said plurality of sequential two-dimensional slices to sequentially control said digital micro-mirror display to reflect said actinic light to said composition as sequential images of said selected slice; (g) passing said reflected light images through a reduction projection system to enhance resolution; and (h) sequentially focusing said reflected light images to a plurality of successive locations in said composition to at least partially cure successive two-dimensional layers therein corresponding to said sequential two-dimensional slices until the three-dimensional structure is formed; wherein a portion of said reflected light is used to view the composition as said three-dimensional structure is being formed.