3D Laser Scanner - Week One 29.09.16

    The first week introduced us to Laser Scanning using the Faro Focus 3D. The laser scanner is capable of producing coloured, life-like visualisations under extreme weather conditions according to the Faro website. However,it does not hold moisture well and is likely to break. Setting up the scanner involves the following:

     

    • Levelling the equipment using the spirit level in tripod.
    • If used outside, the scanner will use GPS to locate itself globally
    • If used inside, each scan must be in line of site of the previous scan.
    • A SD card is used to store the scan info.
    • 140 seconds wait for it to turn on and calibrate from on/ off switch.
    • Manage settings: setup and name your project
    • Start scan
    • Manage parameters
    • Set weather settings
    • Set resolution quality
    • Adjust scan area
    • Select sensors

     

    It is possible for this particular scanner to reach 130 metre in all directions, therefore allowing a 260 metre sphere of scan. However, it is not capable of scanning directly below its position (maximum of 305 degrees vertically). To capture round objects, you must use multiple scans as it can only pick up points that are in direct line of sight. 

     

    The scanner is not capable of registering glass or transparent surfaces. It will also not scan behind solid objects. As a result, you must move the scanner to get around blind spots and build a more complete model. 

     

     

    Using the touchscreen display you can set the laser scanner to be used indoor or outdoors in profile. Before scanning, you must check the setting on the 'parameters' and 'manage' options. This allows you to choose settings such as the weather condition, resolution and orientation of the scan and whether it will be in colour or not. Once the area of the scan is defined (to avoid useless data), you can name the scan and process it. 

    3D Scan of the Library

    • Setting up a new folder for the scan and checking the levelling is correct
    • 4 scans of the library were carried out in total to be stitched together later in 'Scene'

     Once the scan is complete:

     

     

    • Faro Scene software is used to download the scan and stitch it together.
    • The model is outputted into a 3D program as a mesh with edges and surfaces or as a point cloud. 
    • The object can be imported into Rhino, 3Ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4d, Maya, Autocad, Vectorworks etc.

    Processing the scans in FaroScene and importing to Rhino

    • Open Scene_ Programme
    • Import scan
    • Choose the whole scan to process
    • Processsing the scan
    • Register and stitch the scans together
    • Verify and register the scans
    • Clipping box
    • Project point cloud
    • Exporting the mesh
    • Exporting the mesh within the clipping box
    • Export as object
    • Screenshot of scan imported into Rhino 3D
    • Open FaroScene and input SD from the scanner in PC to transfer the project.
    • Name files and select where to save scans.
    • Process scans.
    • Register scans (stitch) together.
    • When lo-res preview appears use clipping box to hide unwanted areas.
    • Create a project point cloud from the stitched model and clip the model.
    • Output model into Rhino as a mesh model with edges and surfaces or as a point cloud (I created a mesh).