Dense Surface Modeling is used in any application where a large number of 3D points (a point cloud) is needed. The surfaces being modeled do need a natural or random texture (or that texture can be applied or projected). Most applications where a laser scanner works, DSM will work also.
Some example applications are:
• Architecture and Preservation: obtain a dense surface cloud of an old stone wall or structure; capture the detail in a building facade.
• Archeological digs: get a dense cloud of points of stratified dig surfaces; non-contact scans of artifacts.
• Museum / curatorial: non-contact surface scans of bas-reliefs, masks, and some statues.
• Forensics: 3D scans of bite marks; 3d surface scans of tire marks and foot imprints in soil and wet sand.
• Mining, Excavation and Geotechnical: surface models of open pit mine faces, cliffs, exposed rock characteristics; models of slag heaps and stockpiles; volcano monitoring.
• Civil Engineering: models of cuts and fills in road work; models, surfaces and measurements of stockpiles; sand dune surveys for erosion monitoring.
• Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Measurement: surface shape of manufactured parts (using a projected random pattern); modeling deformation of fabrics and gossamer materials.
• Medicine: 3D scans of skin surface for body morphological measurements; point clouds and surfaces of a child’s back with scoliosis.
• Film and animation: produce highly accurate bump maps of real surfaces; scan sets and objects for modeling
See the PhotoModeler website for example images and data in these application areas.