The method for manufacturing large three-dimensional objects of the
present invention comprises the following steps: obtaining a
three-dimensional shape data for a three-dimensional target object;
converting the three-dimensional shape data into a size needed for
manufacturing; transforming the size-converted data into a "shell" data
(i.e., data of a hallow target object having a cavity therein); dividing
the "shell" data into shell segments of such a size that can be
manufactured by a rapid prototyping apparatus; prototyping each of the
"shell" segments by a rapid prototyping apparatus to manufacture each of
prototyped parts; assembling the prototyped parts to produce a prototype
of the target three-dimensional shape object.