Three-dimensional reconstruction of biological objects using a graphics engine

A common problem in the study of biological material is the determination of three-dimensional structure from serial sections. The large number of sections required to obtain sufficient internal detail of a structure results in enormous processing requirements. These requirements can now be satisfied by current graphics engine technology in combination with image-digitizing hardware. The previously onerous tasks of manipulating and displaying 3D objects become routine with this combination of technologies. We report a computer-assisted reconstruction system on a graphics engine-based workstation. The system accepts images from any video source and includes a utility for aligning adjacent video images. Also available is an editor for geometric object entry and editing. More novel in our approach is the use of video interiors in 3D displays in addition to contours and tiled surfaces. Video interiors is a form of display in which digitized pixels interior to objects are revealed by cutaway blocks.