DIY and Entry-Level 3D-Scanner Forum

Hello, I just joined this website group. I saw the Virtumake video comparisan of the Carmine Kinect type scanner and the Artec Eva.
I am looking to do a project with a group of people where I need to scan their heads so I was looking for a scanning solution for this projrct and scanning my own sculpture statue that I make full size in bronze. The video was very informative - well done Bernhard/Virtumake - so I posed Bernhard my questions here:

"Do you think the kinect for XBone will be so good at scanning these Artecs will just fade away? They are very expensive and I found your very informative video showed the current difference with the Carmine sensor and the Eva - but maybe the XB1 is the one to take the market off them? I notice here in UK they are discounting the price of Eva but how will they maintain 'clear open water' between the quality differences in scanning. Is it a software upgrade that can do it for them or are they relying on the spider hardware lenses etc......
I would be interested to hear your views as it is a big investment for my small business and if a year down the line the XBone can deliver a similar scan quality it would be better to wait and see what happens."

Bernhards reply

"I am a Primesense/Kinect user for many months and love these devices still. Their advantage is that they are operating with infratred light and that they have a wide field of view. However the hardware was developed for recognizing moving body parts. Their texture ability is a nice feature, but not usable for professional use. Currently Primesense based sensors have a resolution of 2mm. Artec Eva has .5mm and artec eva has a .1 resolution.

You need to see these scanners in real live to feel the difference between professional equipment and DIY scanners. You can get nice scans from Kinect too, but it takes you much longer to post process the scan. If you do the same scan with Eva, you get much faster a perfect 3D model.

I bought an EVA by myself and am very happy with this device.

Kinect 2 is developed for gaming and, in a more scientific area, for machine learning. It is not intended to be a 3D scanner. The hardware is optimized for other purposes.

Artecs Scanners are just 3D Scanners, nothing else and all their software is optimizied for just that. Kinect 2 will be a big step to make people interested in 3D scanning. A lot of people will use this scanners. But if you want a professional scan, you will use professional scanners.

Artec will move into the industrial sector and will push the precision of their scanners. Prices will drop for sure in future.

After one month of scanning with EVA, I learned a lot and will upgrade with the Scanreference system. The difference between Artec and Primesense is big and I do not regret my purchase "

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A very useful answer for me to think on. I will go and see a demonstration of this Eva. Thanks.

Bernhard, John, interesting discussion, I'm also looking for a cost effective means of capturing heads and maybe torso's. The Carmine 1.09 (£180ish) can provide a base mesh but as Bernhard says you need to do a lot of post-processing to make something presentable. This is fine as an intro to 3d scanning or if you intend to add value by digitally sculpting the output but if time is money and you need to get a high quality scan quickly then the pro route (Artec Eva £11000ish) is the way to go. However the Fuel3d scanner for £782 could square the circle, their sample meshes are outstanding, have a look at http://www.fuel-3d.com/files/FemaleFace_STL.zip which I think compares well with a sample scan from Artec (using the Eva ?) http://www.artec3d.com/iframe/3d-model.php?ID=32#
Undoubtedly the Eva can do a lot more than just scan faces and you'll pay for that capability and Fuel3d's device wont ship till sometime next year but in it's own right the Fuel3d scanner could be a fantastic leap forward in low cost high quality scans and if you combine it with Uformia's MeshUp software you have relatively pain free scan to print capabilities for less than £1000!

Yes Myron the scan from the Fuel3D looks good, pic attached opened up in zbrush.

I was considering the buying the Artec Eva off the back of a project I might be involved in soon. If this project comes my way and starts off in next two months I would need a scanner soon rather than later and something that is up and running and straight away easy to use. If I dont get the contract then I will have to be patient and wait for this Fuel3D its a great deal cheaper, the Eva needs to be bought off the back of a serious paying project to justify my investment in it. It would really have to earn its existence for me, whereas the fuel 3d at that price is much more affordable.

I saw this advert in the British supermarket chain ASDA on YouTube, the Eva being used to print shoppers into their mini me version for £40. Looks like ASDA are getting into the technology and opening 3d print facilities in their bigger stores.
Here is link to youtube video

http://youtu.be/xzoq4Uzw9Cw


Looks like they are using zbrush on a mac - my available technology!

Yup, so far only a trial in York I believe, @£40? Walmart goes digital!
Regarding Fuel3d, I don't think it'll be anywhere near as versatile as the Eva for the bigger job, multiple scans will be a little hamstrung by the speed of the flash recharge and the placement of the optical target, Asda won't be using one. You pays your money-you takes your choice but doesn't Evi (the face) look good! (Not EVA, that looks like a kettle)