This invention introduces, as one aspect, an apparatus for creating
three-dimensional object model, comprising photographing means for
photographing an object to be modeled for obtaining images to be used for
creating the three-dimensional object model, setting means for
longitudinally and latitudinally setting a relative position between the
object and said photographing means, said setting means being capable of
setting the object and said photographing means a plurality of different
relative longitudinal and latitudinal positions, and control means for
controlling said photographing means and said setting means so that a
number of photographs taken from different relative longitudinal
positions at a first relative latitudinal position is larger than that
taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a second relative
latitudinal position, the first relative latitudinal position being
closer to a lateral position than the second relative latitudinal
position. Accordingly, it becomes possible to minimize the number of
photographs for obtaining necessary images to effectively keep a high
quality three-dimensional object model, the number of user's manual
operations is reduced, and the total photographing time for creating a
three-dimensional object model is significantly decreased.