Patent ID: 7953301

Claim:
An apparatus for searching for 3-dimensional shapes, the apparatus comprising: input means for receiving 3-dimensional image data about a shape of an object targeted for shape search; an acquisition module for acquiring a 2-dimensional image data group about the shape of the object represented by the 3-dimensional image data; storage means for previously storing 3-dimensional image data about shapes of a plurality of objects, and 2-dimensional image data groups about the shapes of the plurality of objects represented by the 3-dimensional image data; a comparison and search module for searching for 3-dimensional image data corresponding to a previously stored 2-dimensional image data group that is similar to the acquired 2-dimensional image data within a predetermined range, by comparing respective data of the 2-dimensional image data group, which are acquired by the acquisition module, with respective data of the 2-dimensional image data groups, which are previously stored in the storage means; output means for displaying the 3-dimensional image data found by the comparison and search module to an outside; and control means for controlling the input means, the acquisition module, the storage means, the comparison and search module, and the output means, wherein the acquisition module divides the shape on a basis of a predetermined reference plane, fills inner portions of the sections of the divided shape with indication of a section, and acquires the 2-dimensional image data group, including a plurality of pieces of 2-dimensional image data about the filled sections.