Solving the shape-from-shading problem on the CM-5

Abstract

We consider the problem of recovering surface shape from image shading for the situation in which a distant overhead "sun" illuminates a Lambertian surface. An iterative scheme is presented which requires no prerequisite shape information. This scheme forms the basis for a parallel algorithm implemented on a CM-5. Performance of the CM-5 implementation is compared with that of a sequential implementation running on a Sun Sparc 2. Also considered are the complexity and scalability of the parallel algorithm as a function of image size and number of processors, respectively.