Complete End-To-End Low Cost Solution To a 3D Scanning System with Integrated Turntable

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost, fully automated 3D scanning system with an integrated turntable, enabling seamless object reconstruction from point cloud acquisition to 3D printing, suitable for various practical applications.

Contribution

It introduces an inexpensive, end-to-end 3D scanning solution with automation and integration of hardware and software components for simplified use.

Findings

Achieved high-quality 3D reconstructions using low-cost sensors.

Automated the scanning process with an integrated turntable and GUI.

Enabled direct export of models for 3D printing.

Abstract

3D reconstruction is a technique used in computer vision which has a wide range of applications in areas like object recognition, city modelling, virtual reality, physical simulations, video games and special effects. Previously, to perform a 3D reconstruction, specialized hardwares were required. Such systems were often very expensive and was only available for industrial or research purpose. With the rise of the availability of high-quality low cost 3D sensors, it is now possible to design inexpensive complete 3D scanning systems. The objective of this work was to design an acquisition and processing system that can perform 3D scanning and reconstruction of objects seamlessly. In addition, the goal of this work also included making the 3D scanning process fully automated by building and integrating a turntable alongside the software. This means the user can perform a full 3D scan only by a press of a few buttons from our dedicated graphical user interface. Three main steps were followed to go from acquisition of point clouds to the finished reconstructed 3D model. First, our system acquires point cloud data of a person/object using inexpensive camera sensor. Second, align and convert the acquired point cloud data into a watertight mesh of good quality. Third, export the reconstructed model to a 3D printer to obtain a proper 3D print of the model.