An optical measurement method of three dimensional surface profiles which is named the slit beam projection is suggested and practically implemented. This method is intended especially for noncontact and fast digitization of sculptured surfaces for CAD modeling and die manufacturing. Its basic principles are based on geometric optics. Deatiled optical principles and an sub-pixel image processing technique to enhance the measuring resolutions are described in this study. The measuring performances of the slit beam projection are presented and discussed to demonstrate that an actual measuring accuracy of below .+-. 0.2mm can be achived over the whole measuring range(500mm*300mm*200mm)