Overview of Artec 3D Scanner

The Artec 3D Scanner is a tool that utilizes the technology of 3D Scanning to create high-precision 3d models of real-world objects. It works in 3 easy steps:

• The Scanner takes multiple snapshots of the real-world object.

• The shots are then fused into a 3d model, an exact three-dimensional copy of the object true to the real-life dimensions.

• Access the model by panning and rotating from different angles on the computer.

It is the ideal choice for making quick textured and accurate 3D models of medium sized objects such as a human bust, an alloy wheel, a motorcycle exhaust system, architecture models, etc. It is fast and precisely scans objects capturing precise measurements in high resolution.

Artec Eva 3D Scanner Technical Specs 

• 3D Accuracy - 0.1mm
• 3D Resolution - 0.5mm
• Object Size - Starting from 10cm
• Full color scanning - Yes (However, the current Artec Scanner available for students is the Eva Lite which does not support color scanning or picking up texture)
• Target-free tracking - Hybrid geometry and color based
• 3D reconstruction rate - 16 FPS
• Output formats - STL, OBJ, PLY, BTX, WRL, X, SCAN, PLYVC, OBC, VRML, ASC, AOP, PTX, XYZRGB, E57 .

Artec Studio

Artec Studio is an industry-acclaimed software package for advanced 3D Scanning and data processing. This software enables you to scan objects using the Artec Eva 3D Scanner. Working at a processing rate of 15 frames per second, Artec Studio uses features in overlapping areas to automatically align captured frames. It performs this task in real time, providing immediate access to the frames in a single coordinate system. You can evaluate the captured area after the scanning session to determine which parts of the object require additional scanning. Artec Studio 14 is currently installed on the SOA laptop for the scanner.

How to set up the Artec Eva 3D Scanner

The scanner is very lightweight and thus should be handled with utmost care.

• The scanner only works when plugged in to a power supply so the first step is to connect the power cord to the power outlet located at the back of the scanner and make sure it is screwed tight. A better alternative for flexibility and increased mobility is to connect the battery pack instead of the scanner's original power cord (Note: these two cords are different and should not be interchanged). A blinking green light on the handle of the scanner should indicate that it is on. 
• Insert the usb cable on the side of the scanner and connect it to the computer’s usb port. 
• Open Artec Studio 14 on the laptop and ensure that the software detects the scanner. 
• Keep the object to be scanned at a good distance from the scanner for best results. 
  
  The Artec 3D Scanner can be retrieved from the IT Support at the Syracuse SOA through appointments. The scanner comes with a laptop which has Artec Studio 14 pre-installed and a battery pack

How to scan with Artec Eva 3D Scanner

1. Prepare the object and make sure it has enough geometry and texture details. Objects that are difficult to scan include objects with very dark surfaces, highly reflective or shiny objects, transparent objects like glass, some plastics, etc., objects with very thin edges e.g crumpled paper.
2. Provide even lighting without using direct sunlight.
3. Open Artec Studio 14, if you have connected the Artec Eva Scanner, the software will automatically select it.
4. Create a new project before getting started: use the + button in the Workspace panel, select File – New Project from the menu, or use the shortcut Ctrl +N. Once you have saved the project, you will be able to load or unload scans as necessary and thereby limit RAM usage.
5. Decide how many session you need in order to capture the entire object. By using a special third-party rotating table, you may be able to avoid interrupting the session and eliminate the need to turn the object by hand. Depending on your choice, you may
   • Turn the object
   • Position yourself to gain access to the other area.
   • Use a rotating table.
6. Click Preview or press play on the handle of the scanner. Direct your scanner at the object and practice your movements around the object, taking into account the proper Scanning Techniques.
   
   
   
   
7. Identify the base plane for the mode by directing the scanner at the surface that supports the object and click Record to start capturing.
8. Gradually move the scanner while monitoring the process in the 3D View Window.
9. Capture what you can and pause or cease recording by clicking the Pause or Stop button, respectively. Choose Stop if you must make adjustments to the object’s positioning.
10. Turn the object or otherwise adjust it as necessary, then capture any remaining unscanned regions.

11. Once you have successfully captured the object from all sides, click the Stop button on either the scanner handle or in Artec Studio.

Post Processing your model

The resulting fusion model may contain surface defect due to scanning or registration errors. Artec Studio 14 provides a number of tools to correct such errors:

• Repair corrects the model's triangulation errors.
• Small-object filter removes small objects located near the model surface.
• Fix holes semiautomatically fills holes and smoothens the model edges.
• Hole filling fills holes in the model automatically.
• Smoothing filters low-amplitude noise over the whole model.
• Smoothing brush enables manual smoothing of the surface areas with the most noise.
• Mesh simplification reduces the number of polygons in a model while minimizing lost accuracy.
• Isotropic remesh creates isotropic mesh while keeping the processed mesh as close to the original as possible.

Exporting your model

To export your scan:

• Mark any scans you want to export from the layer panel.
• Select the Export scans command in the dropdown menu option in the Workspace panel
• Click the ... button to open and specify the destination folder.
• Select Scan export format using the dropdown list.
• If the selected format supports textures, also specify the texture format.
• Select the Apply transformation checkbox, or leave it cleared.
• Click OK.

Scanning Techniques

To accurately capture an object or scene, follow these steps:

• Pay closer attention to the object on the screen rather than looking at the actual object.
• Ensure that Artec Studio can accurately register frames from the scanner. To this end, do the following:
  • Don’t move the scanner too fast
  • Keep the object as close to the center of the field of view as possible
  • Maintain the scanner orientation in such a way that the field of view is sufficiently filled with surfaces
  • Try to position the scanner in the way the most surfaces in the field of view are colored in green which corresponds to the center of the range meter.
    
    
    
    
• If you’re capturing an object over several scans, remember to capture a common area in each one to ensure successful alignment.
• If you’re capturing an object in one scan, do so all the around the object – regardless of direction – plus a little more (360+ degrees)
• Avoid capturing any objects that may change shape during the scanning process. When the geometry of the scene is changing, the system may fail to find the correct position of new frames relative to previously aligned ones. If you have captured unwanted objects, you must remove them later during the editing stage.
• Don’t record too many frames: ensure that you have sufficiently scanned all regions, but avoid scanning them twice, except when providing overlapping areas for subsequent alignment.

Watch a video of a quick 3-minute scan done using a SOA student's model.

Things to note

• Models that have more solid fills and well defined geometry scan much better and faster. In the example below, the scan takes less than 3 minutes to produce the 3d product of the model on the left. The software tries to fill out the holes and gaps in the original model but overall produces a good quality 3d model.
  

• Models that have a lot of gaps and very small geometric details are much harder to scan and don't produce high quality results. In the example below, the model has a good number of gaps, reflective material and organic materials like the grass (all of which are very hard to scan) and thus the 3d scan result is of a lower quality and looks very incomplete. Students should take note of this in the selection of models for 3d scanning.
  

• 3d scans that look incomplete can be fixed using the tools that Artec provides. However, if there are too many errors to be fixed, the output will differ greatly from the expected results. As seen in the example below, an attempt is made to fix the issues with the 3d scan on the left but the result on the right is not the best.
  

Materials to avoid scanning

• Reflective materials e.g. Plexiglass, glass, transparent plastic, mirrors etc.
• Black surfaces.
• Objects with extremely thin edges e.g. grass, sand, sheets of paper, flowers etc.

Additional helpful links

Artec 3D Learning Center

Artec 14 Studio Manual

How to scan with the Artec Eva

Setting up the Artec Eva

Post Processing with the Artec Studio 14