(Person getting 3D scanned withThere are 4 main types of full body 3D scanners people use to create 3D printed figurines:
If you aren’t familiar with 3D scanning, all the options can be a bit overwhelming. To help, we have some basic information below including links to 4 articles we’ve put together which give the pros and cons of each 3D body scanning technology and how each one works.
Handheld 3D Scanner (Structured Light)
3D scanning someone with a handheld 3D scanner works by having the person stand still as you slowly move the 3D scanner around them to capture the different parts of their body. The process normally takes 2-3 minutes. Once the data has been captured, some manual intervention is necessary to match resulting point clouds, then it takes another 2-3 minutes to generate a full 3D model. Click to learn the pros/cons of handheld 3D scanners.
Hybrid Full Body 3D Scanner (Hybrid)
Like in a DSLR photogrammetry 3D scanning system, in a hybrid 3D body scanning system there are cameras and lights mounted in an array around the subject being 3D scanned. In addition to cameras and lights, there are also projectors that project a pattern on the person being scanned. The cameras in the full body 3D scanning system take two sets of photographs. The first set of photographs is taken with the projectors turned on while the second photoset is taken with the projectors turned off. Click to learn the pros/cons of hybrid full body 3D scanners.
DSLR Full Body 3D Scanner (Photogrammetry)
A DSLR photogrammetry full body 3D scanner normally consists of 70 to 150 DSLR cameras (it can have many more depending on the application) and lighting equipment mounted at specific angles around the subject being 3D scanned. The cameras have a special peripheral attachment that can synchronize the captures so all cameras fire within a fraction of a second of each other. These setups rely on exceptionally high quality data and specialized camera angles so the cameras typically need to be manually moved and focused on the subject being scanned to accommodate for their body shape and pose. Click here to learn the pros/cons of DSLR photogrammetry full body 3D scanners.
Turntable-based 3D Scanner (Structured Light)
Turntable-based 3D body scanners were created to eliminate the need for a human being to walk around and scan people with a handheld 3D scanner. The subject steps onto a platform and holds still while the platform rotates and a mounted 3D sensor moves up and down until the entire person completes their 3D body scan. The 3D scanning process normally takes 1-2 minutes and the processing time is similar to a handheld 3D scanner of 2-3 minutes. Click here to learn the pros/cons of turntable-based full body 3D scanners.
