3D Scanner

Comparison Spreadsheet

There is a Google Spreadsheet listing a variety of options available to try.

Kinect and PrimeSense

We have 2 hardware scanners. One is made by primesense and one is a Xbox 360 Kinect. The primesense is slightly better suited for scanning small close objects. Both work with the same software.

Makerscanner

Flat color background. Camera is fixed distance from background. Makerscanner is taped down Makerscanner software - Latest as of 3/30/13

Pros

• Color point cloud in mesh
• Works well for small objects
• High resolution

Cons

• Can't scan all sides at once
• Needs stitching of multiple scans.
• Cleanup of scans needed before usable.

123Catch Web App Photos

Scan of bottle on white background. Photos taken with Canon Rebel T2i. Used flash despite recommendations to get decent lighting.

Tips

• Use graph paper, or something textured as the base for the object that you are trying to capture
• Try to make sure photos overlap.
• Don't use a flat background
• Try laying string around the object or hanging it!

Pros

Can use any camera, no special app needed Using your own camera and the 123d Catcb web site and/or app gives you much more control. If the process doesn't work, you can try and stitch/correct/upload more images

Cons

Website takes a while to process

123Catch iOS App

Tried same scan with Photos and with app

Tips

• Put a piece of graph paper below the object you are scanning
• Don't try to scan objects that only come up off your base by ~1/2". We had better success with objects ~8" x ~6" x ~6"
• Be able to rotate around your object easily.
• Even distribution of lighting
• Non moving object
• Non reflective object
• X after scan = broken

Pros

• Outside/sunny works well (good ambient lighting)
• App gives you a nice simple interface to accomplish the whole process (take picture, upload, process, view if successful)

Cons

• Many Many... times the scan just won't work
• Took a long time to get successful results.
• iPad App: If it fails, you lose everything, including all the photos you took

ReconstructMe

White background Kinect at 3-4 feet from surface.

Tips

Likes contrast and area to be well lit.

Pros

• Works well for large objects
• Produces PLY
• User can move slowly to make a complete 3D scan.
• Would support turn table.

Cons

• Limited free version. Inserts spheres into model. Can clean up with Meshlab.
• Must stay in optimal range when moving
• Small objects don't scan well.

ReconstructMe Console Edition

• Using the Kinect to take scans of the top half of humans

Tips

• Human objects scan well if they don't move any parts. Rotating them around on a turntable is fine.
• Normal lighting vs. dark lighting doesn't matter. We tried it outside at night, worked fine.
• Wind + Hair causes some issues!
• Human is placed about 3' away from front of Kinect, and slowly rotated (maybe 30 seconds for complete rotation)

Pros

• Works well for large objects
• Produces PLY, OBJ, and other formats.
• Free version is fully capable, just don't use it for commercial purposes.

Cons

• Must stay in optimal range when moving
• Small objects don't scan well.

Skanect 1.5 with PrimeSense Carmine 1.09

- PC01 Has a registered (Pro) version of Skanect 1.5 installed. It ls located under D:\Skanect 1.5
- If you do something awesome and wish to share, please post it on twitter / FB / Google Plus and give shout outs to #skanect #primesense @allhandsactive
- Primesense donated the Carmine Scanner, and Skanect donated the Software.

Make sure you have the Primesense camera plugged into a back USB port on the computer.

Here is a quick run down on how to scan a person seated in front of this computer. This is easiest with two people ; ) One person gets scanned while the other initiates the scan, rotates the chair, and stops the scan.

FYI: Results so far have been best when someone holds the PrimeSense scanner and moves AROUND the person. The method below describes someone being rotated while the scanner is in a fixed position. Good lighting is crucial for the texture/coloring.

Scanning the chest/head of someone in a chair

1. Launch Skanect!
2. Click "Prepare"
3. Select "New"
4. Click "Body" and then "Start"
5. Person in chair holds perfectly still
6. Click Red Box w/Black Circle to begin scan
7. Slowly rotate person around
8. Click Red Box w/Black Circle to end scan
9. Wait for processing to finish
10. Click "Process"
11. Click "Fill Holes"
12. Click "Colorize"
13. Click and drag to rotate view
14. See "Misc. Details" if you like : )

If you want this to be shared online

1. Ideally, you first need to create an API Key on sketchfab.com. This can be done relatively easy, and for free. Otherwise it won't work, or you will have it uploaded to Josh's account... : )
2. Click "Share" in top right
3. Click "SketchFab"
4. Give it a proper title
5. Click "Upload"
6. Wait for finish to upload
7. It will open a browser window
8. Email yourself the URL!

If you want this to be saved to 3D Print

(You have to learn how to print : )

1. Click "Export Model"
2. Save as STL
3. Select "Millimeters" for scale
4. Click "Export"
5. Save it somewhere you can find it (My Documents is easiest)
6. Email a copy to yourself!

Tips

• Distance away (1 - ft). Use preview and look at that to line things up.
• Move slow when turning

Pros

• Overlays texture on live scan

Cons

• Free only lets you export 5000 faces.
• Interface is a little confusing.
• Small objects bad