1. Method for acquisition of a geometric shape, namely a curve or a surface, by determining the coordinates of the points on this curve or this surface, this method being characterised in that: a set of sensors ( 4 a , 4 b , 20 , 24 , 30 ) Is placed on this shape, each sensor being designed to output signals representative of the orientation of the curve or the surface at the location of this sensor, a model of the curve or the surface is chosen, model parameters are determined from the signals, and the spatial distribution of the points on the geometric shape are determined using these parameters.