1. A method for generating a 3D model of a physical object by a curve-based registration process comprising the steps of a. identifying a pair of curves comprising i from a first image, identifying a first set of characteristic curves of the physical object that has a plurality of characteristic curves, ii from a second image, identifying a second set of characteristic curves of the physical object, and iii selecting a pair of curves comprising a first curve from the first set of characteristic curves and a second curve from the second set of characteristic curves, wherein the first curve comprises a first set of points having a local behavior that corresponds with local behavior of a second set of points of the second curve; and b. identifying a transformation that aligns the first and second sets of points of the first curve and the second curve; and c. applying the transformation to register the first and second images, forming a 3D model of the physical object.