SYNTHESIS OF STEREO-MATE THROUGH THE FUSION OF A SINGLE AERIAL PHOTO AND LIDAR DATA

Generally, stereo pair images are necessary for 3D viewing. In the absence of quality stereo-pair images, it is possible to synthesize a stereo-mate suitable for 3D viewing with a single image and a depth-map. In remote sensing, DEM is usually used as a depth-map. In this paper, LiDAR data was used instead of DEM to make a stereo pair from a single aerial photo. Each LiDAR point was assigned a brightness value from the original single image by registration of the image and LiDAR data. And then, imaginary exposure station and image plane were assumed. Finally, LiDAR points with already-assigned brightness values were back-projected to the imaginary plane for synthesis of a stereo-mate. The imaginary exposure station and image plane were determined to have only a horizontal shift from the original image's exposure station and plane. As a result, the stereo-mate synthesized in this paper fulfilled epipolar geometry and yielded easily-perceivable 3D viewing effect together with the original image. The 3D viewing effect was tested with anaglyph at the end.