ICL Multispectral Light Stage: Building a Versatile LED Sphere with Off-the-shelf Components

Abstract

We describe the design and implementation of a versatile multispectral light stage (LED sphere) consisting of 168 RGB and color temperature controllable white (W+) lamps, respectively. The light stage is powered with two sets of off-the-shelf programmable MR16 LED lamps producing RGB and color temperature controllable white (2700K - 5700K) illumination. The design is heavily inspired by various USC-ICT light stages, particularly Light Stages 3, 5 and X. However, unlike a typical geodesic (subdivided icosahedron) dome structure, the structure of the LED sphere has been fabricated along spherical coordinates with latitude-longitude profiles for a simplified wiring and control layout of the LED lamps, and for simplifying polarization of incident illumination. These design decisions facilitate construction while providing a versatile solution for a variety of applications including reflectance capture, image-based lighting reproduction, and multiview facial geometry and appearance acquisition.