US Patent 7046838 Three-dimensional data input method and apparatus

The three-dimensional data input method uses the three-dimensional data input apparatus that includes a monitor screen for confirming an object and is constructed to input the three-dimensional data of the object by shooting the object. In accordance with the three-dimensional data inputted from a part of the object Q, an image of the three-dimensional shape model that corresponds to the shape is generated. The image of the three-dimensional shape model is displayed on the monitor screen as a guide image for framing. The framing is performed so that the guide image is overlapped on the portion of the object image corresponding to the guide image, so that the object is shot after the framing is performed.