3D Scanning at NPL

Moving the Model

• Left click and hold – Pressing just the left mouse button allows for orbital movement of the model on screen.
• Left and right click and hold – Pressing both mouse buttons at the same time allows for translational movement of the model on screen.
• Scroll wheel forward – Spinning the scroll wheel on your mouse forward allows you to zoom in on the specimen.
• Scroll wheel backward – Spinning the scroll wheel towards you allows you to zoom out from the specimen.

View Options – displayed as circular balls in the lower right hand of the main screen.

• Color – Shows the model with the surface texture (color). This allows you to notice color disparities between the specimen and the stage more easily. Sometimes the edge of a scan should be deleted due to it being unusually dark.
• Shaded – Shows the model without the surface texture, in solid blue. This mode makes it easier to see abnormalities in the shape of the specimen.
• Mesh – Shows you the model as a series of silver, interconnected points. Due to the contrast between the data and the background, this mode makes it easy to spot small, stray bits of data separate from the model itself.
• Points – Nearly identical to mesh view. Shows the model as a series of silver points, without connections between them.

Navigating the Screens

• Most tool in the tool bar will take you to new screens when selected. Some of these resemble the Main Screen, aside from different tools present in the tool bar. Other, such as the Scan Screen and Align Screen look vastly different. If you find yourself in a screen, and you want to return to the main screen, just press the blue Back arrow button present in the tool bar of every screen. This will return you to the main screen.
• Selecting some tools, or tool options, will open sub-windows. Saving adjusted settings within these windows is inconsistent. Sometimes pressing OK and sometimes pressing Apply will save adjusted settings. Most settings will be retained between scans, even after closing ScanStudio. When in doubt, press [x] at the top right-hand corner of any window to close out without saving any settings.

• Before starting, create a file folder on your desktop for saving temporary files. Name it something along the lines of Temp 3D Cache.
• Save frequently, at least after every few steps performed. ScanStudio has a tendency to crash unexpectedly, and it’s very easy to lose data and time.
• To save a model, press File Save As… from any screen in ScanStudio. By default, models are saved as .scn files.
• When performing a save, always create a new folder to save the model into, (within Temp 3D Cache folder). It’s easiest to name these sub-folders Project 1, Project 2, etc.
  • Saved models save texture files, (as .jpg’s), alongside the .scn file, as well as some .raw files. A .scn file must be in the same folder as its associated .jpg’s for the texture to appear on the model in ScaStudio. If multiple models are saved into the same folder, ScanStudio can confuse their associated texture files, creating a multitude of glitches, including loss of texture data. Saving each file in a separate folder alleviates this issue.

The following is a guide indicating the necessary steps of completing a 3D scan. This does not does not describe every option available in ScanStudio. See Additional Post-Processing for descriptions of other, less necessary 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. Larger specimens become increasingly difficult to scan, and create proportionally larger file sizes, slowing down the program.

II: Avoid glossy or otherwise reflective specimens. The lasers have a difficult 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 it beforehand

III: Dark-colored specimens tend to scan better than lighter colored specimens.

IV: Avoid specimens with a large amount of internal structure. The lasers have a difficult time penetrating beyond the surface of most specimens, even 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 will open a separate scan screen. The right hand of the screen will be occupied by a preview window that shows you what the scanner can see. Use this for 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, though it depends entirely on the specimen being scanned.

            II (A): Small and medium sized specimens can be placed on the accompanying stage.

• • Small specimens can be placed on the elevated stage. Secure the specimen 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’t have access to the adjustable arm in this configuration, so make extra-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 other than the stage

• • If a specimen is too large for the accompanying stage, place it on a secure 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 will 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, the front surface of the specimen, (the surface of the specimen facing the scanner), 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’t fit within the scan preview window with the Macro setting selected, then it is likely too large 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 no more than 28.0 in. away from the scanner.
  • Extended - For particularly large specimens, the Extended setting can be used. 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 no more than 40.0 in. away from the scanner.
  • Note: specimens, (or parts of specimens), which fall outside the range of a particular scan setting will see a dramatic drop in scan quality. Always try and make sure the specimen falls within the appropriate range 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’t already) to open up the scanning screen. Keep Scan Family set to Auto.

II: Select the type of scan Positioning

• • 360 – This scan type cause the stage to rotate a full 360°, in increments equal to the number of Divisions you have selected (see step III).
    • Only specimens that are small enough to be safely placed on the rotating stage can be 360 scanned.
  • Bracket – This scan type causes the stage to rotate partially, based on the number of Divisions you have selected (see step III). This allows you to only scan a particular section of the specimen.
    • The axis facing the scanner acts as the center point of rotation for the stage.
    • The angle of rotation is related to the number of Divisions you have selected. The greater the number of Divisions, the lower the angle of rotation. For example, if you set the number of divisions to 1, the stage will perform a full rotation. If you set the number of divisions to 16, (the maximum), it will rotate 1/16 of a full rotation.
  • Single – This scan type takes a single scan of the specimen, regardless of the number of Divisions selected. The stage does not rotate.
    • This scan type is most useful for scanning specimens too large to fit on 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 scan, and the angle of rotation in the Bracket scan. It has no effect during a Single scan.

IV: Select Points/in²

• • This value defines the overall quality of the scan. The higher the value, the higher fidelity the scan will be.
    • Note: Avoid setting to the highest value (29k points/in²). This will slow down the program and make your model file unnecessarily large without any noticeable increase in quality. The second-to-last value (7k points/in²) is generally high enough.

V: Select Target color

• • Select the color type that best matches the color of the target specimen. For white or light-grey specimens, select Light. For grey, tan, and light-brown specimens, select Neutral. For black or dark-brown specimens, select Dark.
  • Note: Lighter specimens tend to not scan as well as darker specimens.

VI: Select Range, if not done so already (See: Step 3, III). This is the distance the specimen should be placed away from the scanner.

• • Macro – 7.5  in. – 11.5 in. from scanner. 9.5 in. is ideal.
  • Wide – 22.0 in. – 28.0 in. from scanner. 25.0 in. is ideal.
  • Extended – 22.0 in. – 40.0 in. from scanner 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 throughout the entire scan

• • 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 will see at every point in the scan via the preview window.
    • Click the arrow buttons to turn the stage a small amount clockwise or counterclockwise
    • Click the vertical rectangular button to turn the stage one quarter turn clockwise or counterclockwise
    • Hold down the arrow buttons to perform a single, continual turn clockwise or counterclockwise. The stage will stop spinning when it reaches its starting point.

VIII: Press the green Scan button at the top of the screen to start the scan

• • Note the time and memory values (represented at the bottom left of your screen) before starting.
    • Time – This gives you an approximate time for how long the scan should take. It is not 100% accurate. Expect the actual time to be at least several minutes longer than the time presented. It may take even longer if the memory usage is particularly high.
    • Memory – The closer the memory usage is to 100%, the longer the scan will take, and the slower your computer will perform during the scan. This will also increase the likelihood of the program crashing during your 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, including rotating and manipulating the existing model. This is not recommended. The program may crash if you continue using it while a scan is being performed, so it’s 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 cases, it’s best to not use the computer for other functions while performing a scan.
  • A scan can be stopped by pressing the red Stop button while a scan is being performed, but it is finicky. Sometimes pressing the button simply doesn’t work, other times it will crash the program.

Note: While a scan is being performed, avoid bumping the specimen, stage, or table. Keep lighting consistent, (don’t turn the overhead lights on or off). Don’t let anything pass in front of the lasers or obstruct the view of the NextEngine.

Note: Completed scans are stored as Scan Families in the bar across the bottom of the screen.

• • The number of individual scans in a Scan Family is equal to the number of Divisions in the initial scan, (or 1 in the case of a single scan).
  • You can move Scan Families in and out of the green active scans box in the bottom left of the screen. Multiple, aligned scans can occupy this space at the same time (See: Step 6).
  • Double clicking on any Scan Family allows you to see and work with each individual scan within a Scan Family, including deleting, trimming, fusing, aligning, etc. Pressing Up will collapse the individual scans back into the original Scan Family. It’s rare that you’ll have to interact with scans in this way.

Step 5: Trim excess data, such as background material or parts of the stage that have gotten scanned along with the specimen.

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 available in the toolbar at the top of the screen

• • Pointer mode – 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 using the scroll wheel on the mouse from any tool mode.
  • Circle brush selector – A basic circular selector tool. Pressing the mouse allows you to ‘paint’ areas of data you intend to delete. These areas will be colored in red.
  • Square brush selector – Identical to the Circle brush selector, but square. Useful for more angular models.
  • Rectangular region selector – By holding down the mouse and dragging, you can create a box of any size. Anything inside the box when you release the mouse will be selected.
  • Polygon region selector – By clicking the mouse at arbitrary points, you can create a polygon of any shape. When you place a point (the final point) on your starting point, anything inside the polygon will be selected.
  • ALL – Pressing this button will select the entire model.
  • De/Select – Allows you to switch between selecting data to delete and deselecting data you do not want to delete.
    • ( – ) – This is the default selection. Any data you select while in this mode will turn red to indicate it is ready to be deleted.
    • ( + ) – This mode allows you to de-select data you have already selected.

III: Press the blue Trim button at the top of the screen 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 Additional Post Processing), but the restored data may be corrupted. Always double check before trimming to make sure you’re not trimming relevant data
  • Note: Sometimes excess data can be hard to see. Switch between the View options in the bottom right of the screen to check and make sure all of the appropriate data has been deleted. The Mesh view is particularly useful for spotting stray bits of data on a dark background.
  • Note: Another hint for telling that all excess data has been deleted is by rotating the model. A model will tend to rotate near its center of mass. If a model is rotating at a point outside of the model itself, it means there is stray data separate from the main body of the model that needs to be trimmed.

Note: Avoid trimming aligned or fused models when possible. Trimming these models takes substantially more time 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 scans

I: Ensure you have at least two completed scan families to align. Scan families are aligned two at a time, regardless of how many you have.

II: Press the blue Align button at the top of the screen. This will take you to a separate Align Screen.

III: Select the scans to align. The Scan currently occupying 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 select from along the bottom of the screen, (highlighted in white).

IV: Place pins on each model at corresponding surface features of each model.

• • 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 correspond to the same feature on either model
  • A minimum of three pins must be used for alignment to work properly, but as many pins may be used as necessary.
    • After placing three pins, three more will appear for use, if you need them.
    • It isn’t recommended you place too many pins. The more exact you try to make the manual alignment, the more likely the alignment is to be off. Three pins is generally adequate.

V: Press the blue Align button to begin the automatic alignment

• • If nothing happens when you press the button, first click in the left-hand 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 active scans box together. If the model is misaligned, remove one of the scan families from the active scans box, and try again.

VI: Press the blue Back button at the top of the screen 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 final steps in a scan.

II: Press the blue Fuse button at the top of the main screen. This will take you to a separate menu bar.

III: Press the grey Settings button at the top of the screen. This will open a separate settings window. Adjust the settings as appropriate.

• • Fuse Method – Select Mesh Reconstruction.
  • Mesh Fitting Resolution – Determines the quality of the fused model, but also determines how long the fusion will take. Generally, one tick-mark below the maximum resolution is suitable for most models. For larger models, the program may crash if you set this option to maximum.
  • Relax Fitting – Select this option to ensure stray data is assimilated into the model more evenly. Not selecting this option often leads to models with jagged or globular surfaces.
  • Create Watertight Model – Select this option to automatically fill any holes in the fused model. Generally it’s best to select this option, as models often have many small holes that you cannot see. However, if you’re expecting to perform multiple fusions, or if you want to keep a hole in the model for whatever reason, leave this option unselected.
  • Include Textures – If you do not select this option, the fused model will not retain any color data, and the model will be solid black.
  • Texture Blending – Adjust the slider to determine the degree of blending in the fused model. Very low numbers will result in obvious color delineations on the fused model. Very high numbers will make the surface appear smudged. Generally a value between 10 and 20 will result in a good texture blend.
  • Press Apply to save the settings. Your applied settings will save even after shutting down the program.

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’s 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 ScanStudio often crashes during this step.
  • Fusing is one of the longest steps, and rarely takes less than 30 minutes.
  • 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 at the bottom of the page.

Step 8: Remesh the scans

I: Press Polish à Remesh (fill holes)… in the menu bar. This will open up a separate remesh settings window.

• • Resolution – Keep this set to 0.9
  • Fill Holes – Select this option to fill holes while the model is remeshing.
  • Hole Fill Setting… – Select this to open up a separate hole fill settings window
    • Fill Method – This setting determines how holes will be filled. Flat will fill holes with a flat surface. Smooth will fill holes with a slight, rounded curvature. Curvature will fill holes with a distinct convex curvature. Generally smooth is the best option.
    • Smooth Boundaries – Keep this option selected.
    • Keep Largest Hole – Select this option if you want to kepp the largest hole in your model unfilled.
    • Leave holes larger than [x] inches in circumference – Select this option if there are multiple holes you want to keep in your model. Specify the size of the holes you want to remain in inches.
    • Press OK when you’ve adjusted the settings appropriately to apply them and return to the previous screen.

II: Press Remesh to begin remeshing the model.

• • Remeshing deconstructs and reconstructs the model. In the process it improves 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 computer’s resources. Avoid performing too many tasks on a computer while a remesh is taking place. Expect a remesh to take at least 30 minutes to complete.

Step 9: Saving the final scans

I: Press File Save as… and save a final .scn backup file including the fused and remeshed model, as well as all of the separate scan families.

II: Delete all of the scan families except for the final, fused and remeshed 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 save .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 the model as a .stl file

• • • When the STL Format Selection screen appears, select Binary, then press OK

Fill Holes

In order to print the models created in the program, they ultimately have to be water tight. In order to ensure this, all of the surface holes have to be filled in. In addition to Remesh (fill holes) (described in Step 8 above), there are additional options for filling holes.

Option 1: Fill

I: Press the square Polish button in the tool bar

II: Select the square Fill button

• • The program will automatically go to work detecting holes in the mesh. Hole will be displayed on the model as light-blue spots. This visual representation will remain even if you back out of this setting and work under other tool options. The process may take a while to complete.

III: Use the tools in the tool bar to select holes you want filled.

• • These tools are identical to those found under Trim (see Step 6 above for in-depth description).
  • Selected holes will appear as orange.

IV: Press the square Fill button in the tool bar

• • It’s best to only use this tool to fill small holes, as large holes filled in this way will appear abnormal, resulting in a sloppy model.

Option 2: Fill Holes 

I: Press Polish Fill Holes… in the menu bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • Fill Method – This option indicates how the surface will be constructed covering a hole.
    • Flat – This option will fill in holes with a flat surface.
    • Smooth – This is the default option. This option will fill in holes with a slight, rounded curvature.
    • Curvature – This option will give holes a rounded appearance, making a bumpy surface. It is generally not the preferred fill option.
  • Smooth boundaries – Keep this option selected
  • Keep Largest Hole – Select this option if you want to kepp the largest hole in your model unfilled.
  • Leave holes larger than [x] inches in circumference – Select this option if there are multiple holes you want to keep in your model. Specify the size of the holes you want to remain in inches.
  • Press Fill Holes button at the bottom of the pop-up window to fill the selected holes

Smoothing

Smoothing is used to smooth out rough and jagged surfaces of a model. There are two options for smoothing models: Using the Buff tool, and using the Buff (smooth) option. Be careful when smoothing models as it makes the surface data less accurate. Only use this when necessary to fix problem spots.

Option 1: Buff

I: Press the Polish button in the tool bar.

II: Press the Buff button in the next tool bar.

III: Use the tools in the tool bar to select the areas you want to have smoothed.

• • These tools are identical to those found under Trim (see Step 6 above for in-depth description).
  • Selected areas will appear in red.

IV: Press the Perform Buff button in the tool bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • Buff Weight – This slider determines how smooth the selected area of the model will be after buffing. The higher the number, the smoother it will be.
  • Deviation Tolerance – This is set at a default of 0 inches, but can be adjusted.
  • Max iterations – This is set at a default of 10 iterations, but it can be adjusted.
  • Smooth Boundaries – This option is set by default, and ensures that the edge of your selected area will blend smoothly into non-selected areas.
  • Preserve Sharp Edges – Selecting this will prevent sharp edges from being smoothed out.

V: Press the Buff button at the bottom of the window to perform the buff action.

• • This process may take quite a bit of time. The model will be reconstructed and a new scan family will be produced.

Option 2: Buff (smooth)

I: Press Polish a Buff (smooth)… in the menu bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • The options in this window are identical to those described in Option 1. The main difference is that you will not be able to select specific areas of the model. Any changes will be applied to the entire model.

II: Press the Buff button at the bottom of the window to perform the buff action.

Trimming

In addition to manually trimming a model (described in Step 5 above), there is an option to trim unwanted data from a model automatically. This option can only be applied to entire scans, scan families, or models. It cannot be used to select specific parts of a model.

Auto Trim

I: Press Polish Auto Trim in the menu bar bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • Select whether the trim will be applied to a single scan, a scan family, or the entire model.
  • Maximum Triangle Angle – Adjust this slider to trim data based on the angle of the model triangles. The higher the number, the more data will be deleted.
  • Maximum Triangle Size – Adjust this slider to trim data based on the size of the model triangles (in inches). The higher the number, the more data will be deleted.

II: Press the Auto Trim button to begin the trimming process.

Simplification

Models the contain a large number of scan and scan families often result in very large files, which can slow the computer down and cause the program to crash. It can also create issues when trying to move the model outside of the program, or upload it into other imaging programs. Simplifying the mesh allows you to reduce the file size to more manageable levels by reducing the complexity of the mesh.

Simplify

I: Press the Polish button in the tool bar.

II: Press the Simplify button in the next tool bar.

III: Use the tools in the tool bar to select the areas you want to have smoothed.

• • These tools are identical to those found under Trim (see Step 6 above for in-depth description), except for one; the Simplify slider
  • Selected areas will appear in red.

IV: Use the Simplify slider to adjust how simplified you want to make the mesh. By default, it is set to a tolerance of 0.0050”, and can be increased to 0.2000”. Increasing this will increase the degree of simplification.

• • It’s best to keep it at the default setting. Simplification can be performed multiple times if necessary, but a simplified model cannot be undone.

V: Press the Simplify button to begin the simplification process.

Note: The polish tool bar can also be gotten to by pressing Polish à Simplify (reduce triangles…) in the menu bar. This is not a separate option, but takes you to the same screen as the steps listed above.

Re-Generating Scans

Another option for improving scan quality is re-generating the scans. This slightly different option allows you to smooth, trim and fill the holes in a model while the program deconstructs and reconstructs the model. It is similar to remeshing, but re-generating cannot be performed on an already fused model, as this technically counts a s a fuse option itself.

Re-generate Scans

I: Press Fuse  Re-Generate Scan(s)… in the menu bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • Select whether the re-generation will be applied to a single scan, a single scan family, or the entire model.
  • Simplification – Shift this slider between 0 and 10 to adjust the level of simplification. 0 is no simplification, 10 is maximum simplification.
  • Smooth – Shift this slider between 0 and 5 to adjust the how smoothing will be applied to the model. 0 is no smoothing, 5 is maximum smoothing.
  • Hole Filling – Shift this slider between 0 and 6 to adjust the extent of hole filling. 0 is no hole filling, 6 is all holes filled.
  • Restore Trimmed Data – Selecting this option will return any data previously trimmed off a model. Restoring trimmed data doesn’t always work appropriately, and restored data may be stretched, discolored, or misaligned.

II: Press the Re-Gen button to begin the re-generation process. This process may take a while, depending on the size of the scans.

Measuring

Measuring the model allows you to see, in square inches, the size of the model. The measuring tool in ScanStudio is not robust, so you cannot measure individual portions of a model without using external programs.

Measure

I: Press Measure a Surface Area… in the menu bar. A window will pop up with additional options.

• • Select whether you’re measuring a single scan or an entire scan family

II: Press Calculate to determine the surface area in square inches.

III: Press OK to exit the window.

Recording the3D scan as a preparation

Yes, you have to update the Specify database. Open the Collection Object record, scroll down to the Preparations section. Add a preparation for 3D scanning, set the number of pieces to 0 and in the comments, copy the file path of where you saved the scan.

Active Scan Box – The green box in the bottom-left hand corner of the main window. The left-most portion of the View Bar. Whatever scan families are here will be represented as a model on screen. Any scan families located here are said to be attached.

Align – The process of accurately orienting two or more Scan Families with each other.

Align Screen – The screen you see when using the align tool to align scan families.

Attach – Scans are said to be attached when they occupy the green active scan box. Scans should only be attached if they’ve first been aligned.

Collapse – A scan family that has been expanded to show its individual scans can be collapsed back into a scan family by pressing the prominent Up button in the View Bar.

Detach – Scans are said to be detached when they’re removed from the green active scan box. Also called ‘unattached.’

Expand – A scan family can be expanded to display individual scans within. Double-clicking any scan family will expand it to its individual scans.

Fuse – The act of creating a new mesh by combining multiple, aligned Scan Families. The process is called fusion.

Fuse Screen – The screen you see when using the Fuse tool.

Main Screen – The screen you see when you first open the program.

Menu Bar – The grey bar of options across the very top of the screen (includes: File, Edit, View, Scan, Align, Fuse, Polish, Measure, CAD, Help).

Mesh – The network of interconnected points that compose a scan or model. Composed of triangles.

Model – The visual 3D representation of a series of scans or scan families on screen. Also used to refer to the file containing the scanned object data, or a collective group of aligned scan families.

NextEngine – The name of the 3D laser scanner. Model 2020i.

Polish – A description of several post-processes in ScanStudio, including Buff, Auto-Trim, and Remesh.

Preview Window – The window that occupies the right half of the scan screen. This window shows the specimen you’re scanning in real time.

ScanStudio – The name of the associated program.

Scan – An individual scan taken by the NextEngine. Usually these are a part of a scan family. They can be accessed by double-clicking on any scan family.

Scan Family – A group of associated scans taken in series from a 360 or Bracket scan.

Scan Screen – The screen that appears when you go to begin a scan.

Select – A selected scan or scan family is the one any functions you perform will be carried out on. You can select scans or scan families from the view bar by clicking on them once. This scan doesn’t have to be the scan in the active scans box. A selected scan will be highlighted in white. Only one scan or scan family can be selected at a time.

Simplify – The process of reducing the number of triangles in the model, thus reducing its quality and file size.

Specimen – The physical object being scanned.

Stage – The auto-rotating platform where the specimen sits while being scanned.

Texture – How the program refers to the color information overlain onto a model. Note that texture does not refer to surface relief of the model, but strictly the color data.

Tool bar – The series of grey and/or blue tool buttons present near the center-top of most screens. The tools present differ depending on what screen you’re currently in. They are generally represented by a variety of shapes and icons.

Triangle(s) – The geometric mesh that the model is composed of. The larger the triangles, the lower the quality and smaller file size. The smaller the triangles, the higher the quality and larger file size.

Trim – the act of removing data from a scan or scan family.

Trim Screen – The screen that appears when using the Trim tool.

View Bar – The bar across the bottom of most screens where scan families are stored. The far left of the bar is occupied by the green active scans box. The far right is occupied by view options.