By admin Posted on

3D Scanning project

Square

Over the last few weeks, I have been lucky enough to use an amazing new 3D scanner from virtualrealityexp.co.uk for a project.

I have been playing with the idea of creating 3D assets from real life objects for use in VR and online, here’s how it works:

Structure Sensor – 3D Scanner by Occipital

This ingenious scanner attaches to an iPhone or iPad brace and combines a laser, depth camera and your own device’s camera to stitch together a three-dimensional image which can be used in VR, 3D modelling and with some work, 3D printed.

The results

Below is an example scan of ‘Sample Steve’ our stand-in man and prototype model for VR presentations.

Steve was scanned in broad daylight in the street outside my office from the knees up using the handheld scanning attachment.

The scan took no more than three minutes – although we did repeat this three times for the best results.

Soon we will be attempting to get a better quality scan with the use of a tripod and/or turntable.  Not bad for a first attempt!

NOTE: You can rotate the above model by clicking and dragging or view it in a cardboard VR headset by clicking the ‘View in VR mode button’

Photo Real Renders

It’s also possible to render photoreal models of your scans for viewing online, on social media or for print media.

The Applications

Now we have a quick and easy 3D model in the convenient .obj file, we can bring the file into VR applications such as Google Tiltbrush or manipulate in Occulas Medium.

This is exciting because:

  • It allows for quick and fairly photoreal models to be created on the fly
  • The technology is relatively cheap and portable (fits inside your pocket)
  • Scans of humans avoid the ‘uncanny valley’
  • The models are versatile enough to be rigged for animation or used as is.

Potential uses:

  • As an asset in VR – paint around a model and add features (see below)
  • Use 3D scans of actors in visualisations for a film or advertisement
  • Cost and time saving on 3D models of people
  • A corporate training event could incorporate 3D models as chess pieces in a VR game or live VR painting presentation.