The following is a guide indicating the necessary steps of completin=
g a 3D scan. This does not does not describe every option available in Scan=
Studio. See Additional Post-Processing for descriptions of other, less nece=
ssary options available in ScanStudio not described here.
Step 1: Select the specimen to be scanned
I: Small to medium-sized (fist sized) specimens are easiest to scan. Lar=
ger specimens become increasingly difficult to scan, and create proportiona=
lly larger file sizes, slowing down the program.
II: Avoid glossy or otherwise reflective specimens. The lasers have a di=
fficult time detecting the surface of these specimens. Avoid specimens with=
translucent surfaces for a similar reason.
- If a glossy or translucent specimen must be scanned, smoke or pigment i=
t beforehand
III: Dark-colored specimens tend to scan better than lighter colored spe=
cimens.
IV: Avoid specimens with a large amount of internal structure. The laser=
s have a difficult time penetrating beyond the surface of most specimens, e=
ven if it seems like it should be able to.
V: Avoid exceptionally fragile specimens
- If a highly fragile specimen must be scanned, ensure beforehand that it=
properly consolidated
Step 2: Open the ScanStudio program
Step 3: Position the specimen on the stage or scanning =
surface
I: Press the green Scan button in the tool bar. This wi=
ll open a separate scan screen. The right hand of the screen will be occupi=
ed by a preview window that shows you what the scanner can see. Use this fo=
r reference when adjusting the position of the specimen.
- Try and maximize the amount of specimen surface exposed to the scanner.=
Often this is achieved by positioning the specimen at oblique angles, thou=
gh it depends entirely on the specimen being scanned.
II (A): Small and medium sized specimens can be placed on the accompanyi=
ng stage.
- Small specimens can be placed on the elevated stage. Secure the specime=
n using the adjustable arm attached to the pole. Prop up the specimen with =
clay as necessary to ensure the specimen is stable.
- Medium-sized specimens can be placed on the larger stage base. In this =
case, unscrew the elevated stage from the base and set it aside. You won=E2=
=80=99t have access to the adjustable arm in this configuration, so make ex=
tra-sure the specimen is stable on the stage base before beginning scanning=
. If the stage base is too low for the scanner to see, elevate it on a box =
or other stable elevator.
II (B): Large specimens may have to be placed on a scanning surface othe=
r than the stage
- If a specimen is too large for the accompanying stage, place it on a se=
cure surface, such as a nearby table, lined with foam.
- Make sure the background the specimen is lying on or propped up against=
contrasts the color of the specimen.
- Specimens scanned in this configuration will not be able to rotate, and=
will only be able to be scanned through a series of single scans. This wil=
l negatively affect the quality of the surface color, and can be more time =
consuming. Take this into account before starting.
III: Adjust the distance of the scanner from the specimen and select the=
appropriate setting.
- Macro - Most small and medium-sized specimens will be =
using the Macro setting in the scan settings. For specimens of this size, t=
he front surface of the specimen, (the surface of the specimen facing the s=
canner), should be at least 7.5 in. from the scanner. 9.5 in. from the scanner is the ideal distance. The specimen should be no more =
than 11.0 in. away from the scanner.
- Wide - If a specimen doesn=E2=80=99t fit within the sc=
an preview window with the Macro setting selected, then it is likely too la=
rge for the Macro setting. For specimens of this size, the front surface of=
the specimen should be at least 22.0 in. from the scanner. 25.0 in=
. from the scanner is the ideal distance. The specimen should be n=
o more than 28.0 in. away from the scanner.
- Extended - For particularly large specimens, the Exten=
ded setting can be used. For specimens of this size, the f=
ront surface of the specimen should be at least 22.0 in. from the scanner. =
25.0 in. from the scanner is the ideal distance. The speci=
men should be no more than 40.0 in. away from the scanner.
- Note: specimens, (or parts of specimens), which fall outside t=
he range of a particular scan setting will see a dramatic drop in scan qual=
ity. Always try and make sure the specimen falls within the appropriate ran=
ge of distance. The further the specimen is from the scanner, the lower the=
quality of the surface detail will be.
Step 4: Adjust scan settings and begin scanning
I: Press the green Scan button in the tool bar (if you =
haven=E2=80=99t already) to open up the scan screen. Keep Scan Fami=
ly set to Auto.
II: Select the type of scan Positioning
- 360 =E2=80=93 This scan type cause the stage to rotate=
a full 360=C2=B0, in increments equal to the number of Divisions=
strong> you have selected (see Step 4; III).
- Only specimens small enough to be safely placed on the rotating stage c=
an be 360 scanned.
- Bracket =E2=80=93 This scan type causes the stage to r=
otate partially, based on the number of Divisions you have=
selected (see Step 4; III). This allows you to only scan a particular sect=
ion of the specimen.
- The axis facing the scanner acts as the center point of rotation for th=
e stage.
- The angle of stage rotation is inversely related to the number of Divis=
ions you have selected. The greater the number of Divisions, the =
lower the angle of rotation. (Example: 16 Divisions =3D 1/16 rotation, =
4 Divisions =3D 1/4 rotation, etc.)
- 3 scans will always be taken =E2=80=93 one at the widest left angle, on=
e along the center axis, and one at the widest right angle.
- Only specimens small enough to safely be placed on the rotating stage c=
an be Bracket scanned.
- Single =E2=80=93 This scan type takes a single scan of=
the specimen, regardless of the number of Divisions selected. The stage do=
es not rotate.
- This scan type is most useful for scanning specimens too large to fit o=
n stage, and to fill in unscanned sections of smaller specimen.
III: Select number of Divisions.
- This number will determine the number of scans taken in a 360=
strong> scan, and the angle of rotation in the Bracket sca=
n. It has no effect during a Single scan.
IV: Select Points/in2
- This value defines the overall quality of the scan. The higher the valu=
e, the higher fidelity the scan will be.
- This value varies based on the Range setting selected
- Macro =E2=80=93 1.2k Points/in2 =E2=80=93 2=
68k Points/in2 (highest quality)
- Wide =E2=80=93 125 Points/in2 =E2=80=93 29k=
Points/in2
- Extended =E2=80=93 14 Points/in2 =E2=80=93 =
3.3k Points/in2 (lowest quality)
- Note: Avoid setting to the highest Macro value (268k Points/in=
2). This will slow down the program and make your model file unn=
ecessarily large without any noticeable increase in quality. The second hig=
hest value (67k Points/in2) is generally high enough.
V: Select Target color
- Select the color type that best matches the color of the target specime=
n. For white or light-grey specimens, select Light. For gr=
ey, tan, and light-brown specimens, select Neutral. For bl=
ack or dark-brown specimens, select Dark.
- Note: Dark specimens tend to scan better than light specimens.=
VI: Select the appropriate Range, if not done so alread=
y (See: Step 3; III). This is the distance the specimen should be placed aw=
ay from the scanner.
- Macro =E2=80=93 7.5 in. =E2=80=93 11.5 in. from =
scanner. 9.5 in. is ideal.
- Wide =E2=80=93 22.0 in. =E2=80=93 28.0 in. from scanne=
r. 25.0 in. is ideal.
- Extended =E2=80=93 22.0 in. =E2=80=93 40.0 in. from sc=
anner 25.0 in. is ideal
VII: Use the grey Turn buttons at the top of the screen=
to double-check that the specimen remains visible to the scanner throughou=
t the entire scan within the preview window
- As the stage spins, the specimen may fall into or out of the visibility=
of the scanner. Spinning the specimen allows you to see what the scanner w=
ill see at every point in the scan via the preview window.
- Click the arrow buttons to turn the stage a small amount clockwise or c=
ounterclockwise
- Click the vertical rectangular button to turn the stage one quarter tur=
n clockwise or counterclockwise
- Hold down the arrow buttons to perform a single, continual turn clockwi=
se or counterclockwise. The stage will stop spinning when it reaches its st=
arting point.
- Drag and pull with the mouse in the preview window to constrain the siz=
e of the area scanned, (delineated with a dotted-lined box). This allows yo=
u to cut out background and superfluous information, reducing scan time and=
file size.
VIII: Press the green Scan button at the top of the scr=
een to start the scan
- Note the time and memory values (represented at the bottom left of your=
screen) before starting.
- Time =E2=80=93 This gives you an approximate time for =
how long the scan should take. It is not 100% accurate. Expect the a=
ctual time to be at least several minutes longer than the time presented. I=
t may take even longer if the memory usage is particularly high.
- Memory =E2=80=93 This is how much available RAM is bei=
ng used by ScanStudio. The closer the memory usage is to 100%, the longer t=
he scan will take, and the slower your computer will perform during the sca=
n. This will also increase the likelihood of the program crashing during yo=
ur scan.
- Upon beginning the scan, the program will return you to the main screen=
.
- While a scan is occurring, you can continue navigating the program, inc=
luding rotating and manipulating the existing model. This is not recomme=
nded. The program may crash if you continue using it while a scan is be=
ing performed, so it=E2=80=99s best to minimize it and not use the program =
while a scan is running.
- For very large specimens and other scans with a lot of data, the entire=
computer may become slowed by the program, and using other programs on the=
computer may slow down the scan or cause the program to crash. In these ca=
ses, it=E2=80=99s best to not use the computer for other functions while pe=
rforming a scan.
- A scan in progress can be stopped by pressing the red Stop button, or by pressing Scan =E2=86=92 Stop a =
3D scan=E2=80=A6 in the menu bar, but it is finicky. Sometimes pre=
ssing the button simply doesn=E2=80=99t work, other times it will crash the=
program.
- Note: While a scan is being performed, avoid bumping the speci=
men, stage, or table. Keep lighting consistent, (don=E2=80=99t turn the ove=
rhead lights on or off). Don=E2=80=99t let anything pass in front of the la=
sers or obstruct the view of the NextEngine.
- Note: Completed scans are stored as scan families in the view =
bar across the bottom of the screen.
- The number of individual scans in a Scan Family is equal to the number =
of Divisions for 360 scans. For Bracket scans, there will always be 3 scans=
in a Scan Family. For Single scans, there will only be 1.
- You can move Scan Families in and out of the green active scans box in =
the bottom left of the screen. Multiple, attached scans can occupy this spa=
ce at the same time (See: Step-by-Step Guide; Step 6). Scans should only be=
attached after they=E2=80=99ve been aligned.
- Double clicking on any scan family allows you to see and work with each=
individual scan, including deleting, trimming, fusing, aligning, etc. Pres=
sing Up will collapse the individual scans back into the o=
riginal Scan Family. It=E2=80=99s rare that you=E2=80=99ll have to interact=
with scans in this way.
Step 5: Trim excess data
I: Press the blue Trim button at the top of the screen.=
This will take you to a separate trim screen.
II: Select the parts of the model you want to delete using the tools ava=
ilable in the toolbar at the top of the screen
- Pointer mode =E2=80=93 This tool allows you to rotate =
the model as you would normally. Within the trim screen, this tool must be =
selected to rotate the model. The model may still be shrunk or enlarged usi=
ng the scroll wheel on the mouse from any tool mode.
- Circle brush selector =E2=80=93 A basic circular selec=
tor tool. Pressing the mouse allows you to =E2=80=98paint=E2=80=99 areas of=
data you intend to delete. These areas will be colored in red.
- Square brush selector =E2=80=93 Identical to the Circl=
e brush selector, but square. Useful for more angular models.
- Rectangular region selector =E2=80=93 By holding down =
the mouse and dragging, you can create a box of any size. Anything inside t=
he box when you release the mouse will be selected.
- Polygon region selector =E2=80=93 By clicking the mous=
e at arbitrary points, you can create a polygon of any shape. When you plac=
e a point (the final point) on your starting point, anything inside the pol=
ygon will be selected.
- ALL =E2=80=93 Pressing this button will select the ent=
ire model.
- De/Select =E2=80=93 Allows you to switch between selec=
ting data to delete and deselecting data you do not want to delete.
- ( =E2=80=93 ) =E2=80=93 This is the default selection.=
Any data you select while in this mode will turn red to indicate it is rea=
dy to be deleted.
- ( + ) =E2=80=93 This mode allows you to de-select data=
you have already selected.
III: Press the blue Trim button at the top of the scree=
n when all of the excess data has been selected
- This will trim any data you have selected in red
- This process be undone via the Re-Generate Scans option, (See: Addition=
al Post Processing; Re-Generating Scans), but the restored data may be corr=
upted. Always double check before trimming to make sure you=E2=80=99re not =
trimming relevant data. Assume it=E2=80=99s irreversible.
- Note: Sometimes excess data can be hard to see. Switch between=
the View options in the bottom right of the screen to che=
ck and make sure all of the appropriate data has been deleted. The =
Mesh view is particularly useful for spotting stray bits of data o=
n a dark background. (See: Introduction; View Options)
- Note: Another hint for telling that all excess data has been d=
eleted is by rotating the model. A model will tend to rotate near its cente=
r of mass. If a model is rotating at a point outside of the model itself, i=
t means there is stray data separate from the main body of the model that n=
eeds to be trimmed.
- Note: Avoid trimming aligned or fused models when possible. Tr=
imming these models takes substantially longer than trimming a single scan =
family.
IV: Press the blue Back button at the top of the screen=
to return to the main screen
Step 6: Align your scan families
I: Ensure you have at least two completed scan families to align. Scan f=
amilies are aligned two at a time, regardless of how many you have.
II: Press the blue Align button at the top of the scree=
n. This will take you to a separate Align Screen.
III: Press Edit =E2=86=92 Pref=
erences =E2=86=92 Align Settings=
in the menu bar to adjust the alignment settings as necessary. (See: Setti=
ngs and Preferences; Alignment Settings)
- Most of these settings can be kept as default, but may need to be adjus=
ted if the alignment is running slowly, or if the program is misaligning yo=
ur scan families.
IV: Select the scan families to align. The scan family currently occupyi=
ng the green active scans box will occupy the left half of the screen. The =
right half of the screen will be occupied by whichever other scan you have =
selected.
V: Place pins on each model at corresponding surface features of each mo=
del.
- Drag and drop pins from the top left of each portion of the screen onto=
surface features of each model. Make sure pins of the same color correspon=
d to the same feature on either model
- A minimum of three pins must be used for alignment to work properly, bu=
t as many pins may be used as necessary.
- After placing three pins, three more will appear for use, if you need t=
hem.
- It isn=E2=80=99t recommended you place too many pins. The more exact yo=
u try to make the manual alignment, the more likely the alignment is to be =
off. Three pins is generally adequate.
VI: Press the blue Align button to begin the automatic =
alignment
- If nothing happens when you press the button, first click in the left-h=
and side of the screen, then press the align button again.
- There is no time indicator, but alignment can take anywhere from a few =
minutes to nearly an hour. It depends on the size of the model.
- When a model is aligned, both Scan Families will occupy the green activ=
e scans box together. If the model is misaligned, remove one of the scan fa=
milies from the active scans box, and try again.
- If a model is misaligned, try placing more pins, or pins on different p=
arts of the model. If misalignment still occurs, you may have to adjust som=
e of the settings. (See: Settings and Preferences; Alignment Settings)
VII: Press Align =E2=86=92 Set=
tings when the scan families are properly aligned. This will open =
a new window. Select the aligned scan families from the appropriate tab, an=
d check Fixed (will not be moved by alignment).
- Checking this box locks the respective scan family=E2=80=99s position, =
ensuring that aligned scan families will not become misaligned by future ad=
ditional alignments.
- Repeat this step each time you align a new scan family.
VIII: Press the blue Back button at the top of the scre=
en to return to the main screen
Step 7: Fuse your scans
I: Ensure you have performed all of the scans you intend to perform, and=
have trimmed and aligned all of the scan families before proceeding.
- You can trim a fused scan or align additional scan to an already fused =
scan, but it takes much longer. Fusion is generally treated as one of the f=
inal steps in a scan.
II: Press the blue Fuse button at the top of the main s=
creen. This will take you to the fuse screen.
III: Press the grey Settings button in the tool bar. Th=
is will open a separate settings window. Adjust the settings as appropriate=
. (See: Settings and Preferences; Fuse Settings)
- Most of the Fuse settings can be kept as default, but if this is your f=
inal fusion, make sure Create Watertight Model is selected=
.
IV: Press the blue Fuse button at the top of the screen=
to begin the fusion.
- Fusing requires a lot of computer memory to perform. It=E2=80=99s best =
to close background programs and avoid working on the same computer while a=
fuse is happening. For large models, this becomes a necessity, as ScanStud=
io often crashes during this step.
- Fusing is one of the most time consuming steps.
- Once a model is fused, it will create a new Scan Family. The scans that=
went into making the fused model will still be available in the scan bar a=
t the bottom of the page. If the fusion went poorly, the fused model can be=
deleted and retried.
Step 8: Remesh the scans
I: Press Polish =E2=86=92 Reme=
sh (fill holes)=E2=80=A6 in the menu bar. This will open up a sepa=
rate remesh settings window.
II: Adjust the Remesh setting as appropriate. (See: Settings and Prefere=
nces; Remesh Settings)
- Most of these settings can be kept as default. Just makes sure the Fill Holes option is checked.
II: Press Remesh to begin remeshing the model.
- Remeshing deconstructs and reconstructs the model. In the process it im=
proves the quality of the mesh, fixes imperfections and misalignments, and =
fills holes.
- Like fusing, remeshing can take a long time, and puts a strain on the c=
omputer=E2=80=99s resources. Avoid performing too many tasks on a computer =
while a remesh is taking place.
Step 9: Save the final model
I: Press File =E2=86=92 Save a=
s=E2=80=A6 and save a final .scn backup file including the fused a=
nd remeshed model, as well as all of the separate scan families.
II: Delete all of the scan families except for the final, fused and reme=
shed model.
III: Save the final .scn file containing only the fused model. This file=
should be smaller than the backup. Deleting the excess scan families helps=
save file space.
IV: Press the blue Output button in the tool bar to sav=
e .obj and .stl files
V: Press the blue OBJ file button to save a copy of the=
model as a .obj file
VI: Press the blue STL file button to save a copy of th=
e model as a .stl file
- When the STL Format Selection screen appears, select <=
strong>Binary, then press OK
Step 10: Update the database record
I: Open Specify
II: Open the appropriate Collection Object record
III: Scroll down to the Preparations section
IV: Add a preparation for the 3D model file
- Set the number of pieces to 0
- Copy the file path into the Preparations Remarks field
V: Save the record