From scanning your favorite pet and creating a figurine for your desk or reverse engineering a part or tool, 3D scanning and 3D printing can be used together to rapidly generate and reproduce ideas. These days, the world of 3D scanning has grown to include hobbyist level equipment all the way to full room setups that capture digital imagery for blockbuster films. All of this three-dimensional data can be used to create geometries for 3D printing.
So how, exactly, does 3D scanning work, and how can it be used to help with the product development process? This article will give an overview on common 3D scanning equipment and file outputs, and what you need to do to prepare your scans for 3D printing.
3D Scanning Basics
At its core, 3D scanning works by capturing visual data with a special device and converting it into a three-dimensional mesh of data, resulting in an image. 3D scanning has evolved to include tracking motion but in terms of 3D printing, we’ll focus on static objects.
Download the free Official HP Print Scan Doctor software to automatically fix scanner issues, system errors or any other scanning problems.
Scan And Print Tool Box
There are three different technologies to consider when 3D scanning, so you’ve got a few options depending on your needs:
Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY is the print and scan app for PIXMA, MAXIFY and SELPHY from your Android smartphone & tablet.1/2.1: Available for devices with an ARM processor only.2: Functions and services may not be available for all printers or in all countries, regions, and environments. Key features - Photo Print.3 Photo trimming is available - Document Print.4 Print PDF files. The Windows Scan app can help you scan pictures or documents and save them to your PC as JPEG, bitmap, or PNG files. For more info, see Install and use a scanner in Windows 10. Official HP Support homepage for the HP Print and Scan Doctor. free. software download to automate fixing support issues with HP printers and scanners. Optical scanning captures only the outer shape of an object, but it is possible to use ultrasound imaging or CT scan data to create models of internal structures as well. Researchers have recently created a model of the first exposed full skeleton of a living animal, for example, by 3D-printing the bone structure taken from a CT scan of the.
Laser 3D scanning – This is the most common technique to capture real objects for digital representation. It works very similarly to a camera - the scanner captures only what is in the field of view. A laser dot or line is aimed at an object while the sensor in the scanner calculates the distance between itself and the surface of the object. These scanners are ideal for measuring fine detail and can capture free-form objects with high accuracy.
Photogrammetry – This technique uses photographs to make measurements, simulating the stereoscopy of human vision, and determine an object’s shape, volume, and depth. While it isn’t always the most accurate option, photogrammetry software can aid you in getting a better output.
Structured Light Scanning – This technique projects a variety of light patterns onto an object’s surface, determining how the object’s surface distorts light, creating a three-dimensional image. This technique is commonly used for facial recognition.
After determining the type of scanning you’ll be utilizing, and after completing your 3D scan, the next step is moving onto software.
Software and Poly Models
The hardware and software of 3D scanners work together to translate geometry into a polygon mesh of the physical shape and color. A polygon mesh is a collection of various features including (but not limited to) edges, faces and surfaces, coming together to define a shape.
Print Scan Copy
This mesh uses polygons to give the model a surface - the more polygons a model has, the finer the detail it can pick up. More expensive equipment affords a greater resolution - in other words, it can create a more detailed and exact match of a physical object.
Once an object has been scanned, 3D software interprets the data in the form of a mesh. On occasion, there are broken areas or missing parts to a mesh, simply due to the difficulties in the scanning process or the failure of the scanner to pick up on all the details of a part. However, most current software can help you to repair and close the mesh, leaving you with a solid and closed model.
Once you’re finished scanning your part or tool, you’ll want your mesh to be “water-tight” - if you can imagine the part holding water, the goal is for there to be no areas of leakage. Common file types for poly-based 3D models are STL, OBJ, or 3DS. Conveniently, these file types are perfect for 3D printing as most printers on the market work directly with them.
Getting Ready to Print
Once you have closed the mesh on your part or tool and it is water-tight, it’s time to jump into 3D printing. It’s important to think about the scale of your object and the material you’d like to use when uploading it for printing. Depending on its size, you may be required to scale it up or down.
3D scanning is a great tool to use when it comes to reverse engineering or creating models of real life object. If you have your scans or files ready to print, login or sign up with Fictiv to get your quote today.
Scan And Print To Computer
This article was written by Sam Ristich, Head of Product Development at RISTICH.
This section describes utilities you can use on this machine. For how to use each utility, refer to its topic.
Windows Utilities
Mac OS X Utilities
Item | Relevant function | Description | System Requirements | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
PS Gamma Adjuster | Print | You can adjust the color density used for photographs. | Mac OS X 10.6.8 to 10.11 | |
Color Correct Utility | Print | Adjust the Color Matching. You can change the overall trend of output colors by adjusting the palette color output, gamma value, hue or saturation of the primary colors. | ||
Network Scanner Setup Tool | Scan | This utility is activated when you select the scanner driver from the application and select a connected device. You do not need to set the connection destination once it is set. | ||
Network Card Setup | Settings | You can set a network. |