I am using the NextEngine 3D scanner with bundled ScanStudio software. The required end result of the single models are low poly (15,000 or less) for interactive web display via flash/java3D using (likely) Holomatix Blaze 3D as the Java3D/Flash export (and maybe lighting). I am aware of Polytrans, which seems to have superior poly reduction plugins for Maya/Max/XSI & also stand-alone software which may help achieve models of good size that can be used for my application needs.

But, I would like to know if anyone has recommendations for a user friendly process and maybe recommend software (and steps within this software) that will help me achieve this.

My typical problems with direct models out of ScanStudio are: no camera, no lights, extremely high poly models. From tests done so far, just exporting models as OBJ and importing into any editor, setting the camera positioning / directional lighting and then viewing with a 3D viewer .. the model materials appear metallic (no bump mapping?) with specular glare (material modification?).....

When the model is viewed in Scanstudio it appears to be lit from within, with even flat lighting on all surfaces, and the materials look proper.. which actually wouldn't be that bad if it was less time consuming to prepare a model.. this lighting & material type is also the case when directly importing into Holomatix Blaze 3D before adding lighting.. however as soon as you add a HDX (HDR) light source the model returns to it's metallic looking state on all surfaces. Perhaps lighting setups can be imported or created.. but what about the materials.. do these need to be modified for each individual model & texture to get real looking surfaces?

Any suggestions or recommendations you could make would be appreciated.

Did you try the nextwiki thing-a-ma-bob on their website? I'd try there before here. They get back to you really fast usually...

I got a reply directly from Todd @ NextEngine on another forum, thanks.

Have had trouble getting reliable answers out of the wiki chat, the usefuul answers I did end up getting came after the questions were escalated.

Anyone use the 3-D scanning import in Solidworks Office?

A new boy in town , I am looking to scan 2D to get DXF or the like, material is 1mm sheet with shapes cut in, would next engine be right for the job, or is there an other , the size is 600 X 600mm

A new boy in town , I am looking to scan 2D to get DXF or the like, material is 1mm sheet with shapes cut in, would next engine be right for the job, or is there an other , the size is 600 X 600mm

[It sounds like all you need to do is trace over a regular 2d scan (which would be a bitmap) in a software package that creates vectors and can save them as DXF. Rhino would allow you to do that, as would Coreldraw and (I think) Adobe Illustrator.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[It sounds like all you need to do is trace over a regular 2d scan (which would be a bitmap) in a software package that creates vectors and can save them as DXF. Rhino would allow you to do that, as would Coreldraw and (I think) Adobe Illustrator.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com
Andrew Thank you for that , what machine do I get to scan/trace in that size range, Please
I have Coreldraw.

For large sheets, look for a copy shop that has oversize capacity. Look in the phone book under "blueprints".

If you've got Coreldraw, it should have a "trace" function. If that doesn't do a good enough job for your purposes, you can trace the bitmap by hand to create your vectors.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com


Andrew Thank you for that , what machine do I get to scan/trace in that size range, Please
I have Coreldraw.

Andrew Thank You again for your help, that saved me time and $, I like your web site.

There is also a shareware called Wintopo that will take any pic file and output into various formats. DXF for example.

http://wintopo.com/

Regards,

Gregory