Methods involving a molded impression of a natural nail surface in the creation of an artificial nail

摘要

Methods are described delineating a means of taking an impression molding of a natural nail surface, converting that impression into a three dimensional data structure, separating any surrounding tissue from the natural nail surface, permitting easy manipulation in the creation of a desired three dimensional artificial fingernail object. With the desired digital three dimensional artificial nail object, a tool path is created that permits a desired customized artificial nail to be physically produced from a chosen material consisting of plastics, metals or ceramics, by using a CNC machine. The invention has many applications but the preferred embodiments show its application on fingernails and toenails.