A Survey of 4D Reconstruction and Rendering

PhD Qualifying Examination


Title: "A Survey of 4D Reconstruction and Rendering"

by

Mr. Xuezhen WANG


Abstract:

Recent advancements in computer vision and graphics have shifted the focus 
from static 3D reconstruction to the complex challenge of spatio-temporal (4D) 
modeling. This survey explores the evolution of reconstruction techniques, 
beginning with fundamental vision cues, including camera pose estimation, 
dynamic points (coarse geometry) reconstruction, and spatio-temporal 
registration, which serve as the structural foundation for understanding 
moving scenes. We argue that the ultimate objective of these representations 
is the simultaneous achievement of Novel View Synthesis (NVS) across both 
spatial and temporal domains. By synthesizing seamless transitions in 
viewpoint and time while maintaining rigorous geometric consistency, these 
technologies enable breakthroughs in autonomous systems and immersive media. 
This survey categorizes current methodologies, discusses the transition from 
optimization-based methods to feed-forward methods, and identifies potential 
future directions in achieving unified, real-time 4D scene reconstruction and 
rendering.


Date:                   Thursday, 24 April 2026

Time:                   5:30pm - 7:30pm

Venue:                  Room 2132C
                        Lift 22

Committee Members:      Prof. Pedro Sander (Supervisor)
                        Dr. Dan Xu (Chairperson)
                        Prof. Long Quan