Inspire: newbie not getting a decent scan

I can’t figure out the magic combination of lighting, scan time, or other factors affecting the scan. So far nothing usable has been produced. I often get “not enough geometric features to track” or I get a point cloud that looks, literally, like a random cloud. Sometimes there a shape that resembles what I’m scanning, then it goes off into a spiral cloud. I feel like I’m missing the basics and the tutorials I’ve followed don’t seem particularly helpful.

Can anyone steer me into some basics of scanning?

TIA…

Hi @firedude

You forgot to add what scanner you are using .

If you get info about not enough features it means not enough features of your scanned object , try to use marker points or add more elements together with the object to keep the tracking . 3D structured light technology require features as tracking , without it will just spin around .

You can check more tutorials about here

Thanks for the response. I’m using the Inspire.The objects I’m working with are small…like 5cm x 5cm and I’m scanning from about 30 cm away. If its using IR does lighting matter? Or should I have it well illuminated? The objects are too small to attach marker points.
I’m not sure what this sentence means: “3D structured light technology require features as tracking, without it will just spin around.”

TIA…

You need to use markers on the ground around the object if the object is too small .

3D structure light technology is what Inspire use for scanning .

This technology relays on object features or markers to keep the tracking .

Add additional objects that you can re.ove after scanning or use reflective markers on the ground where you place the object and use marker mode for scan object without features.

Check the tutorial section for more tips with scanning using Inspire .

Thanks for taking the time… back to the drawing board!

I (a total 3d scanning rookie) had similar issues when trying to scan a small plastic teacup. Lots of problems - as the markers left ugly holes in the scan. I finally arranged a video call with Revo support (kudos to them to offer such as service), which really helped me. You need to place additional objects with features on the turntable as well which helps the scanner to keep track of the feature-poor object. Worked quite nicely. I also put a black seperator object below the scanning target which made it easy to delete the add-ons.

Hope that helps you as well!
Dschuli

firedude I feel your pain! I, too, am in that boat (look behind you) & have been for quite some time. I get so frustrated after hours of getting nothing worthwhile done that I put everything away for a few months because I have other projects to attend to, then go back to it when I get some free time (i.e., a full day with nothing on my schedule). If you find an excellent text on 3D scanning, please share it with the rest of us!