Lighting Tricks for the MakerBot Digitizer #3DPrinting #3DScanning
Now that the MakerBot Digitizers are in stock in the Adafruit Store, our community has been looking to learn more about how to produce the best scans on this new batch of desktop 3D scanners. Check out this new set of tips and tricks from the MakerBot team, including how to setup the right lighting environment for your scanner. (Hint, you don’t want a flood of bright, even lighting!)
To get the best results, scan objects in the same lighting conditions you calibrated in, or anything darker—including total darkness.
Scanning in low light is best, but you don’t need to turn the lights out. However, if you’re having trouble scanning something with the Dark setting, try shutting off the lights completely. The only time you must have light is during the calibration routine.
In order to capture the most detail of your object, the Preview screen should be as black as possible when the filter is on.
Recalibrate your MakerBot Digitizer if you’re not happy with its scan results. During recalibration, you want to be able to see the entire checkerboard pattern on the Calibration Tool on your screen, as seen below.
Finally, here are a few cool tricks we discovered:
If you need to capture more detail, set the option to Dark mode—even if the object is light colored. Be prepared for your scan to have some extra noise though.
Hang black felt on wall facing your MakerBot Digitizer to darken the wall’s surface. That way any light in the room won’t bounce off the black background and cause bright spots the camera might think are part of the laser line.
Place an open umbrella behind your MakerBot Digitizer (i.e. not in the direction of its lasers) to improve scan results. Don’t do this during calibration though.
MakerBot® Digitizer™: “The MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner quickly turns the things in your world into 3D models that you can modify, improve, share, and 3D print. There’s no design, 3D modeling, or CAD expertise required to get started, and the MakerBot Digitizer delivers clean, watertight 3D models in approximately 12 minutes. It’s a fast and easy way for anyone to create 3D models! The simple, yet sophisticated software, MakerBot MakerWare for Digitizer, is optimized to work seamlessly with MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers, and also allows you to share your scans directly with the Thingiverse community.” (read more)
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