Cross-sectional image generating apparatus and three-dimensional printing system

A cross-sectional image generating apparatus to generate a cross-sectional image to be used by a three-dimensional printing apparatus to print a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional printing apparatus being capable of printing the three-dimensional object by sequentially stacking layers each having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, the cross-sectional image generating apparatus comprising:

• a memory that stores a first cross-sectional image that represents, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the predetermined cross-sectional shape, a printed pixel located inward of the predetermined cross-sectional shape, and a non-printed pixel located outward of the predetermined cross-sectional shape;
• a mask placer that places a mask on the first cross-sectional image, the mask including a center pixel and a plurality of adjacent pixels surrounding the center pixel, the mask being placed on the first cross-sectional image such that, assuming that one of the pixels of the first cross-sectional image is a target pixel, the target pixel corresponds in position to the center pixel of the mask;
• a calculator that calculates, for each of the pixels of the first cross-sectional image, a final value of a random variable using a Markov process and a Bayes estimation, which is done for each of the pixels to be regarded as the target pixel corresponding in position to the center pixel of the mask;
• a determiner that determines whether the final value of the random variable calculated is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value;
• a colored pixel setter that sets the printed pixel to be a colored pixel when the final value of the random variable is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value and the pixel having the final value of the random variable is the printed pixel;
• a non-colored pixel setter that sets the printed pixel to be a non-colored pixel when the final value of the random variable is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, and sets the non-printed pixel to be a non-colored pixel when the final value of the random variable is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value and the pixel having the final value of the random variable is the non-printed pixel;
• and
• a cross-sectional image generator that adds color information to the colored pixel, and generates a second cross-sectional image that represents the colored pixel to which the color information is added and the non-colored pixel.