Homemade laser scanner software

[whiteriver]

Looks like ScanZ is getting closer to release. Contact Bruce if you wanna beta test it. It has potential.

Donny

http://www.brucerayne.com/scanz.html

[ger21]

That's pretty cool, especially for $25

[CNCgr]

Interesting... I had started working on womething like this, with the rotation controlled from the PC with a stepper motor. The program would take two pics, one with the laser on and one off, subtracted one from the other eliminating the need for a dark enviroment.

However I'm not much of a programmer so it was painfully slow and left me with nothing more than a pointcloud (no idea how to turn it into a solid).

If Scan Z is fast I'm definately getting it!

[automizer]

This has peeked my intrist and I looked at his instructions and I can't find the laser level he recomends. I did find the CRAFTSMAN®/MD Palm Grip Laser Level and im wondering if this would work. At the same time I see lots of laser levels come with laser line-enhancing glasses in all there glory would a red gel lense be of any help to the camera?

[Switcher]

automizer,
That Link you posted, looks to me, like the same thing, the instructions called for (just a different brand) It looks like it projects a bright enough line. I would think that the camera would be close to the object your going to scan.

whiteriver,
Looks like you found a very useful project.

Yea, you can't beat that price either!

Keep us posted

Later...
.

[whiteriver]

Here is another Sears link for one like Bruce, ScanZ's author recomended to me today.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00948251000
This appears to be the exact same product as the GMC laser line
generator, with different coloured plastic, and a different brand name.

I just picked up a large commercial Siteline X-1 laser from a friend today. Nice very bright skinny line. Look foward to trying it tomorrow.


Donny

http://www.whiterivermfg.com

[High Seas]

Just got a note from Bruce - the problem with some of the lasers - they have a Blob in the line - if you find a good substitute or ones that don't work well - I'm sure he'd appreciate the info. Jim

[txcowdog]

Black & Decker makes a laser that hangs on the wall and is self leveling while projecting a bright and very wide line. About $60. Another alternative is go to Home Depot to the tile department and you will find another laser that sends out two lines at a 90 degree angle and is used to set tile. I believe it is made by Stanley and sells for $40. I have both and think either would be perfect for this. By the way Whiteriver, this is an incredibly simple and straightforward solution to a problem and I look forward to using your product when released.

[whiteriver]

For a Laser you want to look for a thin long bright line with no gaps in it. The thinner and brighter the better.
As for ScanZ. Its not mine. It's Bruce Rayne's. He is the author. I'm just a beta tester. I think the program will be a very good solution for the DIYer. He has been working on it for some time and took a break for 6 months. Now he is back on it and its close to full release. The more of you that show interest the harder he will work on it and the faster it will be finished.
Contact him and ask to beta test it. Offer ideas and solutions if you have them. He's a good guy to work with.

Donny

http://www.whiterivermfg.com

http://www.brucerayne.com/scanz.html

[WayneHill]

WhiteRiver,

Dan Mauch is close to releasing a 3D scanner also.
http://www.camtronics-cnc.com/

He is using a video camera to capture a wire shadow scan line. The software is able to scan the object on the fly from live video. Interesting stuff.

[CNCgr]

One way to produce a nice, uniform laser line is to project a laser dot on a rotating 45° mirror

[whiteriver]

Wayne,
I looked at the camtronics site. Looks like Dan has been thinking he would be finnished by June then October. Must have turned out harder or more expensive than he was thinking.
Do you still have that pdf on the process?

Donny