Today I started experimenting with different methods of 3D scanning.
The first tool I used was Friedrich Kirschners Mikscanner. It is a simple and genius way to scan objects by putting them in bucket with milk. What you need is a webcam, a Lego rig (or something else to attach the camera), a plastic bucket, a spoon, milk and the software. To scan you put the object in the bucket, put some milk in it and make a picture and so on. In the end the software generates an greyscale image with height information. The image you can use as a displacement map in Moviesandbox or in any other 3D APP. To see my result in Blender, download my Blend-file (to view it in the GameEngine press P to start). To see the Milkscanner in action have a look at the Milkscanner Intro.
As a second tool I played a bit with the demo version of iModeller 3D. It is a commercial tool that creates 3d objects with textures from photographs. For the photos you need to print out a marker pattern and place your object in the center of the pattern. With already something like 12 pictures the tool creates an textured 3D mesh. It looks quiet promesing, but I was still a bit dissapointed from my first results. I thing for good results I have to spend more time in the setup of the scanning setup. Probably a fixed Camera and the model on a turn table would be better.
As a last tool I want to test the David-Laserscanner as soon my ordered laser will be delivered. The David-Laserscanner was impressively used by Talltree & z25.org in their theater performance Bodycount. The work in progress can be seen here.
UPDATE: here my first tests with David-Laserscanner. The scanner creates a quiet high resolution mesh with texture. The result is from one scan, to create a 360° model I need the additional software shapefusion.
Today we went to the Institute for Biomechanics and Orthopaedics at the German Sport University Cologne. Here we had the great opportunity to test their 3D body scanner and have a look at there Motion Capture system. So now I have an overview from simple homemade scanning tools to highly professional tools. It is really great to see your own body appear in 3D…
