Collins - 3D data capture

Check out my most recent experiments with the latest free versions of Reality Scan and Kiri Engine and the paid version of Polycam. I also utilize Meshmixer to trim and fill the final object in preparation for 3D printing.

The source object is about 9 inches high (w/o the base). It was created by a friend of mine, Wang Xing Gang, a sculptor located in Beijing, China. The original work was modeled by hand in clay. A flexible mold was used to create a duplicate of the original in synthetic castable stone. The object was painted in yellow acrylic. I mounted it on the wooden base once I got it back in the U.S. I scanned the object with three different smart phone apps to create 3D files for online display and 3D printing.

Reality SCAN

I hadn't used Reality Scan for a while. It has some new features including an AI generated point-cloud that aids in synching up the geometry and creating a hi-rez texture map.

I took 100 images using the new AI point cloud generator. It took about 20 minutes to process on my Pixel 7 phone (with the higher rez 8K texture map).

In Reality Scan, one can share the completed 3D model on SketchFab, which is a widely used online gallery for sharing 3D images. It allows the user to rotate and zoom in on the model and, if the proper permissions are given, download the file in a variety of formats for 3D printing, AR/VR development, etc.

Scroll down to the interactive screen below (or use the bitly link) here: https://skfb.ly/pGYpA

chinese_activist2 - 3D model by dan53chinese_activist2 - 3D model by dan53

KIRI engine

Using the latest free version of the KIRI Engine app, I used the new AI capture option to grab just over 100 images. I was able to export an .obj file, along with associated .mtl file (texture), and import into Blender. The image at the left shows the result in Blender.

In order to see the mesh in Kiri Engine or increase the number of images, one would need to purchase the PRO version. However, for our purposes, this is a good proof of concept.

polyCAM

I have the PRO versio of Polycam, so the comparison is hardly fair. But I did limit the number of images to just over 100 to make it loosely analogous to the Kiri Engine and Reality Scan tests. (The PRO version of Polycam allows one to shoot up to 2000 image for a single object!).

The software is great for not only smaller desktop objects, but also for full bodies and larger architectural spaces.

In this example, I used the auto-cropping feature, so I didn't need to trim it as a separate step. (Kiri has a crop tool that is pretty good too).

With the PRO version, I can export in the following formats: OBJ, GLTF, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, PLY, LAS, PTS, XYZ, DXF.

For the purposes of this demo, I exported as an .stl. This so-called "stereolithography" file (3D stone drawing!) could be directly sent to a 3D printer.

Meshmixer

Here I take the .obj into Autodesk Meshmixer (find link under External Resources tab on Vizproto website) in order to trim the bottom of the sculpture and create a closed manifold object (this step could also be done in Blender).

I then select the "create a solid" option and optimize the polygon count and accuracy of the mesh. While of course we will not get color with our plain vanilla 3D printers, we are getting a decent preview of the geometry of the final sculpture.

Review my discussion of 3D Data Capture methods here.

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