Diffuse Map Shadow Removal Using Brightness Lookup Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing shadows in three-dimensional modeling based on photogrammetry result in loss of map details, hue changes, color overflow, and color lumps, making the model unrealistic and unsuitable for various illumination conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of average brightness difference and lookup tables to restore shadow texel colors in diffuse reflection maps, utilizing bright-side and dark-side average color lookup tables, and edge extraction to accurately remove shadows while preserving original color information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing shadow removal tools (Agisoft Texture Delighting, Unity De-Lighting tool) are used to remove shadows, then shadow removal is achieved, but map details are lost, hue changes occur, color overflow happens, and color lumps appear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshadow removalVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating shadow regions and non-shadow regions differently. It identifies shadow texels based on brightness thresholds and applies shadow removal only to those specific regions, while preserving the original color information in non-shadow regions. This localized approach prevents the color distortion and detail loss that occur when applying global shadow removal algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a lookup table (LUT) mechanism that maps shadow brightness values to restored color values. Instead of directly applying complex shadow removal algorithms, it uses the LUT as an intermediary to transform shadow regions, which simplifies the process and maintains color accuracy by preserving the original color information through the lookup table.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If shadow removal is applied to diffuse reflection maps, then illumination independence is achieved, but color information is distorted and model realism is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination condition adaptabilityVSAvoidmodel realism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the shadow component from the diffuse reflection map while preserving the original color information. By identifying shadow texels through brightness threshold comparison and extracting only those regions for processing, it separates the shadow effect from the underlying object color, enabling illumination independence without distorting the original color information that contributes to model realism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter approach by using brightness threshold comparison to identify shadow regions and then applying specific color restoration parameters to those regions. It modifies the color values of shadow texels based on their brightness characteristics while maintaining the original color information in non-shadow regions, thus achieving illumination adaptability without compromising model realism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4044122B1Image processing method and apparatus, computer storage medium, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP4044122B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4044122B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP4044122B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are an image processing method and apparatus, a computer storage medium, and an electronic device, which relate to the field of image processing. The method comprises: acquiring a diffuse map, and acquiring a shadow texel, located in a shadow area, in the diffuse map (S310); querying an average color lookup table according to spatial coordinate information of the shadow texel, and according to a query result, determining an average brightness difference corresponding to the shadow texel (S320); and determining restored color information according to the average brightness difference and color information corresponding to the shadow texel, and according to the restored color information, restoring the color information of the shadow texel (S330). By means of the method, a shadow in a diffuse map can be effectively removed, such that a model can be used in scenarios with any lighting conditions.