SURFACE AND VOLUME
MODELING
Ultimately, 3D imaging standardization
must address both the
generation and practical applications
of 3D images for diagnostic
and therapeutic uses. As Figure 1
shows, there are two different ways
to generate 3D models, each of
which forms a 3D model by laminating
2D images: the first creates a
surface model using polygons (only
the object’s surface is shown), and
the second creates a volumetric
model using voxels (only the object’s
internal data is shown). A voxel, or
volumetric pixel, is the basic unit of
computed tomography (CT) reconstruction,
represented as a pixel in a
CT image display.
Our working group proposes
the use of a standard file format
for surface modeling that contains
the patient’s medical information.