3D Scanning

In this blog, I will show you an easy and straightforward process to convert scan data into usable surfaces inside of SOLIDWORKS. As an example, I will be using an STL file which is a scan of a leg with the objective of making a custom connection interface along the back of the leg in the calf region. This interface region will be used to model a custom leg brace that will later be 3D printed. 

Discover how the Artec Ray makes 3D scanning and mappying easy – even in an extreme environment like the Ape Caves.

Aside from their ability to capture complex geometry without any targets, one of the greatest features of handheld Artec 3D scanners is their ability to simultaneously capture color.  

Sometimes refered to as texture, color is incredibly important to create lifelike renders and identify key locations on parts. Normally, texture has to be captured seperately and then projected onto a mesh – a time-consuming process and impossible if any part of the object moves between the two different captures. Since the handheld scanners capture both geometry and texture at the same time, there isn’t any issue matching the color to the exact position it should be.

Certain objects that you scan may have issues being scanned, including clear and shiny objects, or certain black colors such as carbon fiber. This is due to the capture camera failing to identify faces (in the case of clear objects) or reflects; making the scan noisy for shiny or black objects. 

To correct this common 3D scanner issue, the object needs a coating to add opaqueness to cover the difficult areas to scan. Tape can be used in a pinch, but you may compromise the geometry of the object.

Handheld scanners convert millions of points of data to millions of polygons – taking up computer resources and disk space. If you work with 3D scanners, you already know that file size and processing data are the biggest limits of the technology.

By understanding how different scanners capture and process data, we can find ways to work around these limitations and optimize our scanning and processing times. This can be done in the raw data or final mesh depending on the end-goal of the project. Some software for example will let you combine different mesh and point cloud data together to increase accuracy and resolution. Others you can edit the mesh itself to show two different resolutions, increasing the polygon count in areas of interested while decreasing on simpler surfaces.