How to Achieve High-Quality 3D Scans – 2024 Guide

In this golden age of technology, 3D scanning has become a popular way to create digital models of physical objects. Though this process is often seen as challenging and time-consuming, with the right preparation and equipment it can be easy to achieve high-quality scans.

If you’ve struggled with achieving good results in the place, chances are, you’ve done something wrong. But, don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this guide, we will provide you with all the necessary information, tips and trick to help you produce almost perfect 3D scans every single time.

Let’s begin.

Know Your Tools

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As with anything worth doing, proper preparation is essential for achieving high-quality 3D scans. Before you even start scanning, it’s important that you take the time to understand the right tools for the job.

To get started, you’ll need to decide what type of scanner you want to use. The two most common options are laser scanners and structured light scanners. Laser scanners work by projecting a laser onto the object and measuring the reflections to create a point. Structured light scanners, on the other hand, use a projector to project a sequence of light patterns onto the object. These patterns are then used to calculate the 3D shape of the object.

Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day, it’s one thing that matters more than others…

Invest In Premium-Quality Equipment

If you want to achieve high-quality 3D scans, you need to invest in premium-quality equipment. This might seem like an obvious statement, but it’s one that is often overlooked according to experts over at 3d-scantech.

In the world of 3D scanning, there are a lot of different products on the market – and it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option. However, if you’re serious about getting good results, it’s important that you invest in a scanner that is fit for a particular purpose.

For example, a handheld 3D scanner is a much better option than an automated 3D system if you need to scan in narrow, hardly accessible places, just like a global, laser 3D scanner is better for scanning large objects than a regular handheld 3D scanner is.

Use Markers As Reference Points

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If you want to achieve accurate 3D scans, it’s important that you use markers as reference points. When placed on the object, these markers will help the scanner accurately identify the edges and surfaces of the object, which is essential for getting a good scan.

There are a variety of different marker types that you can use, but we recommend going for something simple as a dot. These kinds of markers are easy to place on the object and offer a good surface area for the scanner to detect. Just make sure that you don’t use too many markers, as in some instances, even a few strategically placed ones should do the trick.

Scan In A Controlled Environment

This is easier said than done, especially if you have to scan outside, but if possible – always scan in a controlled environment. This means that you should try to avoid scanning in direct sunlight or in other places with high levels of ambient light.

Not only will this help you avoid getting glare on the object, but it will also make it easier for the scanner to capture all the details. If you can’t scan in a controlled environment, don’t worry – just make sure that you use an anti-glare coating to cover the object.

Scan Slowly And Steadily

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When it comes to 3D scanning, slow and steady really does win the race. If you try to scan too quickly, you run the risk of missing important details or even damaging the scanner.

So, take your time when scanning an object. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should spend hours on a single scan – but it’s important to find a balance between speed and accuracy. In general, we recommend taking your time and figuring out how fast you have to go depending on the equipment you’re using, as well as on the subject you’re scanning.

Stabilize Your Objects

When scanning an object, it’s important that you stabilize it as much as possible. This will help you avoid getting any blurry or distorted images, which can often happen if the object is moving around too much.

There are a few different ways that you can do this, but one of the simplest is to use something like a stand or a tripod. If you don’t have either of these things available, you can also try to tape the object down to a flat surface or use clay.

Properly Calibrate Your 3d Scanner

It’s vital that you properly calibrate your 3D scanner. This might seem like a tedious task, but it’s essential if you want to get accurate scans.

Calibrating your scanner is critical because the calibration procedure aids the optical measurement tool in determining its distance, position, rotation, and behaviour, relative to the scanned object, in order to produce accurate results.

However, the calibration process is different for every scanner out there. Some you’ll have to calibrate manually while some come factory calibrated, so make sure that you read through the instructions carefully before you get started.

Use A Dark Background

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If you want to get the best results possible, we recommend using a dark background when scanning an object. This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the quality of your scan.

A dark background will help the scanner focus on the object and capture all the details more clearly. If you don’t have a dark background available, you can also try using a piece of black cloth or even just making sure that the area you’re scanning in is relatively dark.

Post-Processing Is Essential

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Last but not least, don’t forget that post-processing is just as important as the actual scanning process. While no amount of post-processing will salvage poorly scanned data, the post is still a critical part of the entire process.

Once you’ve got your raw scan data, it’s time to clean it up and make it look presentable. This is where you’ll remove any unwanted artefacts, fill in any holes, and generally just tidy things up. So, make sure you hone your post-processing skills.

Conclusion

And that’s it! These were the essential tips to help you get started with 3D scanning.

One final thing to remember is that the key is to experiment and practise until you find what works best for you. There is no one-size-fits-all solution and nothing is set in stone, so don’t be afraid to try out different techniques and make mistakes until you find the perfect method that brings you desired results.