Patent ID: 8514223

Claim:
A three-dimensional model data generation apparatus for generating and storing a three-dimensional model expressing a three-dimensional object that includes a first element having a first surface region and a second element having a second surface region, the apparatus comprising: a detection unit detecting a contact region on which the first surface region and the second surface region are in contact with each other; a generation unit generating surface shape data on the first and second elements and including a first polygon generation unit, which generates polygon data on the first surface region, and a second polygon generation unit, which generates polygon data on the exposed region except the contact region in the first surface region; a storage unit storing, in a storage device, the surface shape data generated by the generation unit; and a discard unit discarding the surface shape data on the contact region in the second surface region, wherein the generation unit includes a third polygon generation unit defining a virtual surface region having the same contour as that of the first surface region, and generating polygon data on the virtual surface region.