Why use 3D data?

An 3D image containing has many advantages over its 2D counterpart:

Explicit Geometry

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• 2D images give only limited information the physical shape and size of an object in a scene.
  
• 3d images express the geometry in terms of three-dimensional coordinates.

e.g Size (and shape) of an object in a scene can be straightforwardly computed from its three-dimensional coordinates.

Recent technological advances ( e.g. in camera optics, CCD cameras and laser rangefinders) have made the production of reliable and accurate three-dimensional depth data possible.

Consequently many three-dimensional data acquisition systems have been developed.