3D scanning a live animal?

[darrell]

Hi!  I'm new here and I have a question for the 3D scanning / modeling folks.   How would you go about creating a 3D scan of a medium sized (~20lb) dog (not sedated)?

Getting such a critter completely still more more than an instant might not be possible. 

Bonus points:  tips for creating an articulated 3D model that could be posed for different 3D prints.

Why?  My wife and I are part of a breed specific rescue (welsh terriers) and it could be fun to have a 3D scan or a posable 3D model to create scans.   The folks in our doggie community would love stuff created from such a model.

I'm open both to suggestions for DIY solutions and pointers to local studios.     I have found a couple of places online that do the scanning part, but they are many states away.   

tia!

-Darrell

[Sam Lysinger]

If sedation is not possible, freeze drying or taxidermy are highly recommended. 

 

Scanning takes a while and you have a Terrier.

 

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[Kevin Liske]

Sounds like a call for a well trained dog that can hold a stay or sit for a couple minutes and not be spooked by the noise and machinery.

Kevin Liske

     What part of Noh do you not understand?

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[Chris Chaperon]

Hello Darrell,

I've seen folks use handheld Microsoft Kinects to make scans for 3D models of humans. Google will light the path...

Also,

http://m.instructables.com/id/EASY-Kinect-3D-Scanner/

Extra points/jointed model generation:

http://www.kinecthacks.com/

If there is a way to frankenstitch together partial scans of the dog, you could cut out the blurry bits...

Chris Chaperon.
Salt Lick Inc.

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[Will Ashby]

I've tried to scan a dog using the Skanect software and an XBox 360 Kinect
sensor.  It was a large dog compared to the Welsh Terrier.  I've attached
an STL file which can be 3D printed or opened in most 3D software.  The 3D
file will give you ideas about the capability of Skanect and the Kinect.
This dog was lying on still on the ground for minutes at a time.  This was
the best scan of about 4.  We tried standing, but the dog moved too much
despite the owners trying to keep her still.

Important points
Notice the lack of detail around the face.  This is because it's a 360
Kinect sensor.  It's not high resolution.  Modern scanning equipment should
do much better.   There is a workaround to get higher resolution out of a
Kinect http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:70431  or google search for "3D
scanning with kinect and reading glasses"

Based on my experience scanning people, hair and fur are harder to capture
than skin and clothing.  Wet fur might do much better that dry.  I haven't
tried it.  What is happening is that the Kinect sensor projects a grid of
light and then captures an image of that grid on whatever it hits and
analyzes the way the grid is changed by the 3D object.

You will have to do the scanning inside.  Outside light includes whatever
wavelength the scanner uses and essentially jams the scanner preventing it
from doing its job.

Good luck.  Searching 3D Hubs you may find some local folks with much
better 3D scanning equipment that may open up your options.

As was mentioned earlier, a taxiderm-ied dog would be still and could be
standing.

-Will Ashby

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[H P Ladds]

I believe Sam jests, but he does make a strong point.

If you are a part of a network of welsh terrier enthusiasts, perhaps there is a taxidermied pooch somewhere that could be scanned? 

[Darrell Golliher]

Thanks for the help everyone.  I learned a lot.   The taxidermy idea is actually a good one.  I doubt I’ll be pursuing that because it creeps my wife out, but it was a good suggestion!

Most likely I’ll just site on the idea for now.  Maybe a studio like this one will pop up in Atlanta one day..  they seem to have an elaborate setup and advanced skill set.   http://captureddimensions.com/portfolio/pet-scans-and-prints/

Next time we’re in Texas with money to burn, they’re on the list...

-Darrell

P.S. Props to Will for go all the way though to get an STL file.  Impressive now that I’ve thought a little about what’s required.

—

http://golliher.net

<dog scan with Kinect.stl>

[Charles D. Redwine, II]

Hello Darrell,

   I haven't done any scanning work for the last few years and have forgotten exactly what what was involved, BUT -
Scanning an object is just the process of taking multiple pictures (from all sides) of an object and then sewing all the pictures together.
There is software that does the 'sewing' and makes the object become 'solid'. (You cannot have any 'holes' in the final 3D object.)
My suggestion is to scan a 'model' of your dog type or any similar dog and then take several digital images (angles/sides) of your real individual and use some 'sewing' software to mesh your real images with the model. You could end up with something pretty close, and my understanding is that dogs grow (and change) everyday anyway. Even if your sewn together model isn't an exact copy of your dog, it should become a close match to the breed. Talk to the folks that are 'many states away', and see if you could just send them many multiple digital images of your object (dog) for them to work with. Or, see if you can get some 'sewing' software and learn how to work it yourself, such as from <http://www.makerscanner.com>, or  <http://http://www.3ders.org>, or the EASY Kinect 3D Scanner info from a 14 year old at <http://www.instructables.com/id/EASY-Kinect-3D-Scanner>. You should be able to find several 'free' versions (open source) for the sewing software. Some is better/easier than others.
   I am assuming that you are NOT trying to make a life size 3D print, but a 'smaller' image. A life size model would probably have to be made in 'parts'. If you are making 'parts' anyway, even on a smaller model, then a little creativity in joining the individual pieces together (like connecting with 'ball joints'?) would make the final assembled model articulated.
   When you make 3D models, you usually only use one color of filament (the plastic used for fabrication) for the model, so if you want to match something that has more than one color, you will have to paint the final model to make it more realistic. You probably need to actually make a few parts to get an idea of a trade-off between size and time when actually doing 3D printing. A life size model might take a few days of printing. A larger printer (more expensive) for bigger parts and using multiple print heads (more expensive) to print multiple simultaneous colors might prove a little more challenging. 


Hope this helps -Charles

[Bill Sandidge]

Make Magazine has a project for full body scanner using a Kinect. It's in the 2014 3D Printer issue, link here:

http://makezine.com/projects/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/scan-o-tron-3000/

Looks like a fun project. If you can get the dog to sit still for one revolution of the turntable it might work.

Bill