Automatic Acquisition of Time-Slice Image Sequences

Acquisition of consistent multi-camera image data such as for time-slice sequences (widely known by their use as cinematic effects, e.g. in “The Matrix”) is a challenging task, especially when using low-cost image sensors. Many different steps such as camera calibration and color conformation are involved, each of which poses individual problems. We have developed a complete and extendable setup for recording a time-slice image sequence displaying a rotation around the subject utilizing a circular camera array. Integrating all the aforementioned steps into a single environment, this setup includes geometrical and color calibration of the camera hardware utilizing a novel, multi-functional calibration target as well as a software color adaption to refine the calibration results. To obtain a steadily rotating animation, we have implemented an image rectification which compensates for inevitable mounting inaccuracies and creates a smooth viewpoint trajectory based on the geometrical calibration of the cameras.