The body silhouette: A new data processing technique for point cloud data generated by a 3D laser body scanner

The ability to effectively use point cloud data produced by various scanning devices continues to be a major issue in reverse engineering and anthropometric-related fields of study. The body silhouette provides a new way of interpreting point cloud data depicting a human form. Redundancy in raw point cloud data is removed by a relatively simple programming algorithm. The remaining data can be used to determine geometric properties such as cross sectional area or circumference of each horizontal slice plane of the volume. When cross sectional area or circumference is computed for each horizontal plane of the body's torso and plotted as a function of the torso's height, a profile or silhouette of the body is produced. The body silhouette provides a unique way of interpreting point cloud data which can be used to develop new health assessment techniques and apparel design methods.