Top 10 Handheld 3D Scanning Tips

At the Fabbaloo Lab we’ve performed 3D scans using a variety of handheld scanning equipment, ranging from el-cheapo Microsoft Kinect hacks to pricey USD$50K units. The experience can be both frustrating and elating; it’s normally a learning process of discovering what to do and what not to do. Today we thought we’d list a few of the rules of thumb we’ve discovered for you to enjoy. 

 

1. Setup time: Good scans take time - and it’s not only the time spent doing the actual scan. Be prepared to spend time setting up your scan environment and equipment, which may take a lot longer than you suspect. 
2. Cabling: Most handheld 3D scanning equipment involves a bunch of cables to shuttle electronic signals between components. When you set up your scan environment, plan on having a lot of slack in any cables attached to the handheld scanner, because you’re going to be moving it around a lot. For larger subjects the maximum cable length could be an issue. Consider walking around with the cables attached to see if they work from all scan zones because you don’t want to be part-way through a scan and suddenly find you can’t get the scanner around to the subject’s next corner.
3. Live Feedback: Unlike desktop scanners, which typically capture a shape automatically, a handheld scanner requires you to move around the subject. Here’s the troubling part: if you can’t see a monitor that provides feedback on what portions have been successfully captured, you’re basically operating blind. When setting up your equipment make certain you can see a screen for instant feedback, otherwise your scan could include a lot more holes than desired.
4. Resolution: Some handheld 3D scanners, particularly the more expensive versions, offer the capability of setting the scan resolution. Be very careful of this, as there is a tendency to immediately select the highest resolution. High resolutions require very, very slow scan movements. With a heavy handheld scanner, this could be difficult. Instead think first of how much resolution you actually need and then set parameters appropriately. 
5. Nooks and Crannies: Before scanning take a very close look at your subject and try to imagine how you will point the scanner to capture the entire surface. You’ll probably find some nooks and crannies that require wacky positioning. Be prepared to make those unnatural moves during your scan. 
6. Backgrounds: Some 3D handheld 3D scanning solutions require a patterned background in order to interpolate the scanner’s position. This is often easily done by simply avoiding “monotonous” backgrounds, or placing random objects in the scene. One thing you must avoid: moving objects in the background that will confuse the scanning software. And don’t even consider scanning something with a crowd of people around. 
7. Nearby Stuff: Ensure that the scanning area is relatively clear of other objects that might accidentally make it into your scan. While they won’t break the scan, they will add more work later to remove them. Also: any objects in the vicinity WILL BE STEPPED ON. 
8. Props: In some pathological scanning situations there may be surfaces that are obscured unless the subject is raised higher, permitting you to scan “from below”. If this is the case, you’ll need to place the subject on top of an appropriately-sized something. 
9. Color and Lighting: Some 3D scanners capture color information along with the shape. While it’s not particularly useful for most personal 3D printers that print in only a few colors, a good color map can be used with 3D print services for full color output. But color can only be obtained properly if you have good lighting. Overcast outdoor natural lighting is best, but if you’re scanning indoors, we’d strongly recommend proper lighting from all sides. If you illuminate only one side you’ll likely get an underexposed side to your object and it will 3D print darkly compared to the lit side.
10. Cleanup: Once the scan is complete you’ll need to convert it into a 3D model. While some scanning solutions include software that does so, some solutions do not and you’ll have to do that by hand with your own software. In almost all cases, however, you’ll need to fix the model in some way by filling holes, smoothing surfaces, simplifying an overly complex mesh or removing extraneous bits. 

Scan-A-Claus? In New York City?

3D Systems' Cubify division announced a unique service: Scan-A-Claus, just in time for the holiday season. It's a 21st Century take on a 20th Century tradition: a picture with Santa Claus. 

 

Some readers may recall from their youth the sometimes awkward moments sitting on a strange Santa's knee waiting for a professional photographer to capture an image for posterity. 

 

This is much the same, except that it's not an image being captured - instead you are 3D scanned with Santa. Engineers will be using their new "Sense" handheld scanner to produce the 3D scans, which of course, will then be 3D printed. 

 

The event takes place in New York City tomorrow (yes TOMORROW ONLY) at Cubo, a 3D printing and Toy store at 512 East 12th St., from 11AM to 6PM ET. You'll need to register for a specific time slot to get your scan done, which take place every five minutes. More information is available at the link below. 

 

We think this is a very interesting experiment; transforming an old tradition into a new one. Will it catch on? Will we see Santas surrounded by scanners across the land in late Decembers to come? 

 

Via Cubify

Most 3D Scans are In Jail

Every few weeks we are bombarded with press releases from research organizations that are keen to tell the story of how they have captured in great detail a 3D scan of a building or property. Museums in particular are getting into the scanning business. It's thought that the Smithsonian, for example, has hundreds, perhaps thousands or even more exquisite 3D scans of their collection.

 

But there's a pattern emerging: while these organizations are quite happy to tell you they've been creating scans, there are few or even no ways to access them. 

 

The scans are often of works that have long been in the public domain, perhaps even for centuries, and we're wondering why organizations keep the scans hidden. 

 

Recently we've observed two divergences from this pattern. First, the Smithsonian has released some 3D scans - but only very few. 

 

The second initiative we've seen is AfricanFossils, which hopes to distribute 3D models of ancient man for educational purposes. 

 

We're hoping there's more such initiatives. 

 

Free the scans from their jails! 

The Smithsonian Releases 3D Scans

We've written about the Smithsonian's forays into 3D scanning previously, but now you can access some of the 3D scans they've been collecting. Last week the institution released the first batch of 3D scans, all of which can be viewed online and several are suitable for 3D printing. 

  

As of this writing, some 17 models are downloadable. Some are marked "print ready", meaning they are in STL format. 

 

This is clearly only a beginning. The Smithsonian has 137 million items in its vast collection, with less than three million on display. The initial batch of 3D models represents a mere 0.0000124% of all their items. 

 

So far the collection includes a wide selection of unusual artifacts, such as the woolly mammoth skeleton, Abraham Lincoln's life mask, the Wright Flyer and others. Each model may be viewed online in 3D and in many cases file downloads are offered. 

 

While the 3D models may be tagged "print ready", some do include significant overhangs and lack flat bases. Unless you have access to a powder-based 3D printer you may find yourself spending much time picking off support structures. Be careful when selecting a model for printing.  

 

Via SI 3D

Smithsonian To Display Transformative 3D Tech

The venerable Smithsonian Institution plans an event to display how the technologies of 3D scanning and 3D printing will transform how they do their work. 

 

The event, Smithsonian X 3D, takes place November 13-14 in Washington DC. They say: 

 

For the first time ever, state-of-the-art 3D scanning and image-based modeling technology paired with new Smithsonian tools will enable museum collections, scientific specimens, and entire research sites to be digitally recorded, studied, and shared in immersive detail.

 

While their initiative likely focus on digitally capturing much of the massive museum's artifacts, we're hoping some of those captured 3D models may make their way to your 3D printer. 

 

It's possible that, when the Smithsonian has an extensive 3D library, they may sell 3D models to the public, or perhaps provide low-res versions at reduced or no cost. 

 

Via The Smithsonian

iMakr's Scanning Booth at Selfridges

Independent 3D printer retail store iMakr has set up a temporary  exhibition where you can have yourself 3D scanned and printed at a premier retail location: London's venerable Selfridges on Oxford street.  

 

iMakr is also using the Oxford street location to offer 3D printed art pieces for sale to the public. 

 

While the scanning is said to take only 10 minutes to complete, you must make an appointment in advance and we suspect you'll wait several days to receive your 3D print. Color 3D printing, like any other kind of 3D printing, isn't very fast. 

 

If you're in London anytime before the end of the year, drop by Selfridges and check it out. 

 

Via iMakr

World Heritage Sites Digitally Captured

CyArk, a non-profit initiative, proposes to digitally capture 500 key culturally relevant heritage sites across the world. They are building a repository of 3D information to protect the sites against damage from the environment, terrorism, vandals and any other threats. 

 

Their process is to use state-of-the-art laser scanning equipment to capture the physical structure of the sites up to 2-6mm accuracy. That's impressive for the very large structures being scanned - and it also means there will be mountains of data to be stored. Some of the current projects include: 

 

• Guatemala's Tikal
• Scotland's Stirling Castle
• Uganda's Royal Tombs at Kasubi
• Mission San Luis Rey
• Mexico's Chichen Itza (seen above)
• Egypt's Ancient Thebes

 

So far, the CyArk project list contains 79 works, some of which are still in progress. Each project contains images, videos, plans and some contain 3D models that you can view from your browser - but we have yet to discover a way to download the models so that 3D printing could be attempted. An enquiry received this reply:

 

Sorry, we don't have our content available for download. 

 

Via CyArk (description) and CyArk (project list)

Design of the Week: Orihon

This week's selection is Manchester, UK, born, but Chicago-based artist Tom Burtonwood's Orihon, a 3D printed accordion book. 

 

The piece is interesting because it involves texture, something not normally found in books. Each "page" of the book contains a different texture based on real-life scans taken with the 123D Catch application. It's a 3D print, but it's intention is that you touch it. He says: 

 

I have been thinking for some time how it would be nice to produce a 3d printed book of textures and reliefs. To publish and distribute all the wonderful architectural patterning and decoration we enjoy here in Chicago and beyond. This is the prototype for that idea.

 

If you're up for a multi-part 3D print, you might try replicating this item yourself, since the models comprising it are available at Thingiverse for free download. 

 

Via Tom Burtonwood and Thingiverse

Analyzing Rembrandt and Van Gogh in 3D

Most of us have only see society’s most important paintings through 2D reproductions. Unfortunately, painting is actually a 3D art that layers color atop color to create an image. So, without being able to see the actual strokes a painter has made, much of the information stored in a painting is lost.

 

In an attempt to better study and distribute the 3D information that makes up a painting, researchers at TU Delft have begun 3D scanning and printing the works of two Dutch masters, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

 

The study, which is comprised of scans from three paintings, isn’t meant to produce exact replicas of the works themselves. Rather the research is concerned with understanding how Rembrandt and Van Gogh actually created their pieces.

 

Read More at ENGINEERING.com

Through a Scanner Fails, Then Succeeds

You might recall the Kickstarter project of one Cosmo Wenman of San Diego, who attempted to raise funds for a project to produce freely downloadable printable 3D scans of famous sculptures. Wenman required funds to arrange for travel and working expenses, but the fundraising campaign failed, having raised only USD$8,174 of the target USD$35,000. Sigh, no scans for us. 

 

Not so fast! Wenman has secured a single, private investor to cover the costs of the scanning project. That supporter: none other than 3D software giant Autodesk. 

 

Autodesk has provided not only funds, but 3D services to aid in the project. The result should be an excellent collection of classic sculptures, each a digital copy of the physical copies currenty stored in Basel's Skulpturhalle. The Swiss collection is not original works, but is actually a large set of casts from the originals. 

 

We're greatly anticipating the release of notable sculptures, which were revered in their day and which will be amazing once again when they emerge from your 3D printer. 

 

Via Cosmo Wenman

3-Sweep Creates 3D Models from 2D Images

In an incredible video presented at SigGraph Asia 2013, researchers demonstrated an amazing new method of deriving full 3D models from only 2D images. 

 

The 3-Sweep software appears easy to use: simply drag your mouse across an image to cue the software to create a 3D model. The specific motion of the mouse drags are the key element: the first drag defines a cross section of a solid element, while the second drag takes that cross-section through a path to "extrude" the solid. Subsequent drags create additional solids that are automatically merged into a complex object. 

 

 

Once the solid is complete, it can be MOVED AND ROTATED IN THE IMAGE! Yes - you can turn things around in an image. Watch the entire video to see the capabilities of this software. 

 

One aspect we don't yet know about is whether the 3D model can be exported in formats suitable for 3D printing. The software clearly creates usable, solid 3D models that would no doubt work on 3D printers. Perhaps it is a not yet announced feature. 

 

3D modeling with traditional software is difficult for many to learn. This approach, when combined with simple hand drawn objects, could represent a very new and easy to use way to generate printable 3D models. 

 

Via PetaPixel

Ancient Tudor Sculptures 3D Printed

First they were 3D scanned, then they were 3D printed.  

Researchers at the University of Leicester, University of Oxford and Yale worked together to replicate a tomb monument originally designed for King Henry VIII's illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond by Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk in the 16th century. 

 

You might be thinking that this project is another one of those "scan ancient object and 3D print it" projects, but you'd be wrong. You see, this particular tomb monument was never actually finished. 

 

Originally intended to be installed in Thetford Priory, it seems that the Priory was dissolved before the monuments could be finished. In succeeding years pieces of the monument were taken away, refinished to alternate designs, leaving just pieces, some of which now reside at the British Museum. 

 

The team of researchers, working on the "Representing Re-Formation" project, gathered all known material on the structure, including many scattered pieces, literary descriptions and drawings. The pieces were 3D scanned, as you might expect, but the resulting 3D models were adjusted, expanded and revised according to the other information. 

 

This work reconstructed a proper 3D model that, according to the researchers, is the most accurate representation of the originally intended design. That, of course, can be 3D printed to bring the structure into the real world - only 473 years late. 

 

Via Archaeology News Network

Capturing High-Res 3D Scenes

Scientists at Disney Research have developed a new method of converting a collection of 2D images into a 3D model. While this approach is commonly done - and can even be accomplished on your smartphone with the 123D Catch app, the researchers have found a way to efficiently process huge images. This processing results in very detailed 3D models, unachievable with other techniques. 

 

Current technology involves processing a series of 1MB images of a subject taken from different angles, but images of this quality do not provide much detail. Larger images, typically taken by modern DSLRs can be 20MB or more. The new approach can handle such images, bringing their detail right into the 3D model.

 

How effective is this technique? Just watch this video. 

 

 

While this is still a research process, it will could appear in commercial products. The result might be a lot of very detailed 3D models - many of which would be interesting to 3D print. 

 

As the resolution of 3D printers increases, we will need higher-resolution 3D models to print on them. This could be one way to obtain them. 

 

Via Disney Research