3D Point Cloud Reconstruction from Plenoptic Images - A low computational complexity method for the generation of real objects in a digital 3D space.

3D modelling and augmented reality, as fields of study, are constantly evolving and affect everyday lives. A high number of professionals in different branches use 3D modelling in order to simplify their works, such as structural and civil engineers in planning stage, or for content divulgation, such as the case of museum operators. 3D modelling is conquering new fields of application every day; this is the reason why it is of paramount importance to find methods to reconstruct real objects in three-dimensional digital models. A clear example is the growing interest of 3D models of important historic and artistic objects. A 3D model of a valuable statue can be studied in all his parts, anywhere in the world. Another important example is the great use of 3D models in architectural design field, in both design simulation and buildings of historical and artistic interest. Plenoptic camera, thanks to his intrinsic features of depth perception, opens further new scenarios in the field of 3D modelling. It follows, from all of the above considerations, the idea of using depth perception of the plenoptic camera for the purpose of object 3D modelling, in order to generate digital models of the real objects. Therefore, the main aim of this work is to suggest an alternative method of real object reconstruction, with a simple process and at reasonable price, using images extracted from a first generation plenoptic camera, which is moderately expensive, and processing them for object reconstruction. In this work I will present a 3D modelling method starting from the images produced by a plenoptic camera. The following method is at his early history in respect other methods and it does not want to be competitive, even though at the moment it is impossible. His aim is to show how the features of these cameras allow modelling and how promising these results are. We believe that this technology deserves attention because his further development could solve some of the current problems, such as cost reduction, process simplification and lower specialisation of the operators.