Great things have small beginnings. I too started 3D scanning using only a single camera. In fact, I captured heads. Next I used 2 more cameras that I still had from my work as a photographer. Then for a long time I used an 8 camera setup that I used for scanning jobs all over Europe. From there I moved up to 18 cameras and so on. However, I was using a turntable, and for scanning people, that’s not ideal. A full-body scanner can easily hold 100 cameras. With that in mind, I would now like to describe the path I took to build such a device.
Construction is the key. From the beginning, I decided to use a ceiling mount that rotated around a person while capturing them. I expanded the single-arm scanner into a four-arm solution. It consists of Eurotruss components and a heavy-duty turntable that can support a weight of 200 kg.
It worked well for many months, but it still was not what I needed: a static scanner.
I came very close with some semi-static setups I used to scan facial expressions (face only) and butterfly wings. I learned a lot from these setups, and based on the quality I got, I had an idea of what to expect from a full-body scanner.
I gathered all my strength, built a strong PC and 3D printed adapter brackets. It was time to build the big project: a full-body scanner. Before we continue, I have to say this: I did not get 100 cameras, as was mentioned earlier. I decided on 64. I had done tests, and that was the absolute minimum necessary. That being said, let us move on.
And there it is, a hanging but static 8-pin, 64-camera 3D scanner. I also installed some atmospheric lighting to complete the look.
Finally, I’d like to show some work I did with the scanner. Notice the dynamic poses and expressions that are possible at once.
Thank you for seeing me from one camera to 64 in 10 years. I could have taken out a loan from the bank to get there much faster, but I chose the slow way. Looking back, I have no regrets. However, I plan to add 4 more poles to create a little more vantage points, so I no longer have the need to work away occasional mistakes.
See you on the next project!
Mark Florquin