DIY and Entry-Level 3D-Scanner Forum

I am new to the world of 3d scanning and I hope some experts can help a guy out. What I would like to accomplish is a full body scan of a human. The subject would be standing against a solid color background and the subject would also wear a full body (except for face) skin tight suit to show curves, muscle tone, etc also the subject would stand on a turn table device that rotates at a slow consistent speed. I would like to get a detailed mapping of the subjects figure for use in a 3d modeling program. I have read that the "Kinect" and also the PlayStation "Eye" are capable of doing 3d scanning. My questions are:

1. Has this been done before with either device?
2. Is there a better option?

I would like to try and keep the cost down on this project. Also I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction as to where I would find more info on how to accomplish this. Thanks in advance!

Hi Yamaha32088!

So far the best option, in my opinion, is a Carmine 1.09 scanner with the VirtuSpecs mod an Artec Studio example

An alternative would be a David Laser scanner System.

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Bernhard
www.virtumake.com

Hey! Welcome to the forums! I just became a new user a few minutes ago myself! and i'm starting to research up on 3D scanners as well as 3D printers. I've learned in a book called Meet the Kinect by Sean Kean, Jonathan Hall, and Phoenix Perry, they talked on some stuff regarding how the kinect works, setting it up to your laptop, etc.

so you can use the kinect as a scanning tool. I've tried it a little myself to scan my whole family room, although it didn't come out the best I wanted it. scanning individual items instead of a room might yield better results though.

If you google skanect by Manctl, that program should still be free to use to be able to scan objects using the kinect (and it might get upgraded and a better version for a fee), although you'll have to download and install the drivers for the kinect first (in a certain order no less), and you will need a USB AC Power Adapter Supply Cable for the kinect, so that you can plug it into your PC, since the kinect will need to draw power from a source. it costs around $4-6 on amazon. although I have to say, the kinect is much more capable than just being a 3D scanner.

artec3d also looks good for a kinect scanner software

googling the top ten best kinect hacks, #2 and 3 talks about other scanner software, especially #2, which talks about scanning people and objects.

also, search for NextEngine 3D Scanner, I just did some research on that and it looks like something definitely worth looking into, but it will set you back $3000, but the way that you're wishing to scan a person, this scanner seems to be following a pretty similiar pattern.

I'm just an eager guy trying to learn the ways of the 3D printer/scanner world, and i'll share whatever I can! I hope this helps! let me know how the progress works for you! i'd love to hear it! sorry I couldn't help on the ps3 move! I don't have a ps3 yet lol, so I don't know much about it.

Hi gigglenoodle!

Skanect is a good option too. Manctl puts a lot of effort in this tool and we can expect great new features. I would recommend to download the demos of both and give them a test run in your specific environment.

Yamaha32088 mentioned the turntable. I think a turntable in combination with a structured light scanner system, like David Laserscanner, would give you the best possible result, because this technology has a far higher resolution than the Kinect options.

If you go for Kinect, I recommend the Carmine 1.09. This device has a lower minimum distance to the object (about 25cm, compared to 40cm) and therefore gets you a higher detailed scan. I prefer Asus- or Primesense scanners over Kinect, because they do not need an additional power supply. You can carry them around with you and can scan outdoor objects as well.

example:



I have no experience with Nextengine 3D Scanners. Did you do research on them?

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Bernhard
www.virtumake.com

I agree with Virtumake on Carmine 1.09 vs Kinect. Carmine is only a little more expensive but much better resolution especially if you use Virtuspecs. The most important point is not having a power cord tripping you up or extension cord trailing for miles as when you are using the Kinect.

I like Artec Studio a lot but also Skanect as well. Don't count on anything usable from the free version of Skanect however, as it only lets you export with minimal polygons so the result is horrible. Free version does show you what the program can do however, so you get to see what the export would look like in the paid version.