EPlus3D

Did You Know You Can 3D Scan Anything with Only a Camera to Make 3D Printable Models?

Formnext Germany

Share this Article

scan1Did you know you can make a 3D printable model out of almost anything using only your camera and some software? In this Instructable, Whitney Potter, who goes by shapespeare and who also hosts the podcast “3D Printing Today”, brings us some valuable tips about doing just this. Here he uses an Oreo cookie as an example of how to transform an everyday object into a 3D printed one in 17 steps that cover everything you need to know.

In the first 3 steps, shapespeare simply summarizes the process of scanning an object. Any camera can be used here, with one that takes high-quality high-resolution photos preferred. DSLR cameras are preferred because of their versatility and control. In Steps 4-8 he covers the various other cameras that can be used, such as GoPros, video cameras, and smart phones. (But again, a DSLR camera is the best one to use to make quality 3D printable models from scans.)

teapotShapespeare offers more scanning advice in Step 9, where he explains that the object should be still when you shoot it, not too shiny, and not too big or too small. Make sure it has a lot of surface detail with no large uniform areas, and it shouldn’t have any thin delicate parts, either. Step 10 covers setting up for a photo shoot. If you place the object you’d like to scan on a stool, it will be easier to photograph. Also, make sure that there’s good, diffuse and even lighting and remember that a camera flash may not be of much service here. It is required that you take about 100 photos, so you’ll want to make sure you are comfortable as well.

In Step 11, shapespeare covers how to set up your camera, and then we finally arrive at the important tips on how to take your actual photos in Step 12. (The better the photos, the better the scans.) He explains that you’ll need to move around the object to capture its 3D shape, and he recommends overlapping many of the photos:

“After you shoot the first picture look carefully at how it is framed. The object is to overlap adjacent exposures by 50-60%. When in doubt, overlap more. If you think you may have moved too much, go back halfway and shoot another picture. The order of the pictures doesn’t matter to most software. Remember that you can always dump extra shots, but you can’t make up for shots you didn’t take. Once you break down your set up you are done. If you find later that you need more shots you usually have to start again from the beginning.”

scannings“The Parallax Trick” refers to shooting the object in a way that magnifies your perception of motion. When you move in between shots, the background of the object changes, so it is recommended that you watch the edges of the subject to stay aware of how the background changes. Other photo shooting tips include having too many instead of too few photos of your object, and picking your camera angles to get as much coverage of the object as possible. You also want to keep an eye on your exposure settings and remember that a little overexposed works better than underexposed.

Once you are done shooting photos of your object, it’s time to pick the software you will use to change photos into scans. There are many choices here, but shapespeare does us the favor of narrowing things down to three recommended options. His top choice is Autodesk Memento, which is both easy to use and free. Other recommendations include Autodesk’s 123D Catch and Agisoft Photoscan, which is a step up in quality, harder to use, and requires a lot of RAM on your computer.

Once you have chosen your software, Step 16 has you processing your images, and Step 17 covers the qualities of a good scan (including mesh and color mapping). Shapespeare’s helpful tips allow you to photograph, process and 3D print almost anything! Including an oreo cookie…

Is this something you are interested in trying? Discuss in the 3D Prints from Photos forum over at 3DPB.com.

oreo

 

Share this Article


Recent News

3D Printing News Briefs, September 30, 2023: Drone Customization, 3D Printed Bandage, & More

Space, 3D Printers, and Australian Ambition: The iLAuNCH Revolution Begins



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3D Printing News Unpeeled: BLT, M Holland & Tecnológico de Monterrey

BLT has announced its half year results for 2023 with $2.44 million in profit for the first half year up from a $5.34 million loss last year for the same period....

AML3D Makes C-Suite Changes & Ramps Up its Metal 3D Printing Sales in Support of US Navy

The board of AML3D, the Australian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of metal additive manufacturing (AM) platforms, recently concluded a four month review of the company’s leadership structure, which has resulted...

3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: September 17, 2023

It’s another busy week filled with 3D printing webinars and events! Topics include photopolymers and industrial automation, aerospace and 3D scanning, DIGITAL FOAM and composite 3D printers, biomaterial bioinks, and...

3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: September 10, 2023

This might possibly be the longest webinar and event roundup we’ve ever done at 3DPrint.com—that’s how many offerings there are this week! I won’t waste your time in this introduction...