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Real-Time Fusion scanning mode

This overview provides more specific information about the real-time-fusion (RTF) scanning mode and its parameters.

1. General Information

1.1. What Is RTF?

RTF is an algorithm for building a 3D model of the object in real-time while you are scanning. Its main features are the following:

  • It's fast
  • It's simple
  • It requires zero post-processing

1.2. Performance
Unlike the regular scanning mode, RTF displays no textures while scanning, instead, it shows the 3D geometry in gray scale, as in the example below.

After you click 'Stop', the system saves the original raw scan together with the fusion. You can use raw scan later for texture mapping.

1.3. RTF vs Regular scanning mode

Compared with the regular scanning scanning mode, RTF has several drawbacks:

  • It's limited by the size of your scanning area (please see below)
  • It's limited to one scanning session
  • It can not reconstruct geometric details that are as small as what regular Artec Studio algorithms can handle
  • It's not recommended for cases that require extra-high accuracy where every micron counts (because it performs only rough serial registration while scanning)

2. Parameters

RTF parameters are located in File → Settings → Performance → Real-time fusion


2.1. Dimensions

The Dimensions parameter limits the spatial size of your scan (in meters). So if you are scanning a small object, you should decrease this value. In other words, Dimensions is a balance between performance and object size.

2.2. Voxel size

In general, Voxel size is the 3D resolution of your model. The smaller the value, the more geometric details you can detect and capture in 3D.

2.3. Correlation between Dimensions and Voxel size

The lower the value for Voxel size, the more limited scanning area will be.

See the illustration below.

For this illustration:

  • The large cube represents the limits of your scanning area
  • Dimensions determines the edge length for the large cube
  • The scanning area consists of voxels with a edge length
  • Voxel size determines the edge length for a small cube

3 Requirements

RTF uses only your computer's GPU, so it's more hardware sensitive than the regular scanning modes. Therefore, note the following requirements and recommendations:

  • An NVIDIA / ATI videocard with high performance is essential
  • We recommend NVIDIA GeForce cards, especially those that appear in gaming PCs
  • Intel videocards don't support the RTF mode.
  • Support of OpenCL 1.1 and later is a general requirement (note that OpenCL and OpenGL are two different technologies).
  • Instructions regarding recommended videocard drivers are available here.

If your PC fails to meet the requirements, Artec Studio will display a warning message and disable RTF mode in the SCAN section.

4 Scanning in RTF Mode

4.1. Starting point

Our main suggestion for scanning with RTF is to start from the center of the object.

4.2. About dynamical movement compensation

RTF reacts to dynamical geometry changes in the object. That is, if the object geometry changes during the scan process, the "new" geometry will overwrite the "old" one. This feature is especially useful for 3D-scanning of people or body parts as RTF will compensate for small movements. To use this feature, direct the scanner at the location where the geometry changed until the new geometry is captured.

4.3. Recommended uses of RTF

We recommend using RTF in the following situations:

  • When you're scanning body parts (including orthopedics and prosthetics, such as for a back, hand, arm or leg)
  • When you're scanning statues and sculptures (like busts)
  • When you're scanning furniture for design purposes
  • When speed is critical (for example, you need to scan face as quickly as possible)

4.4. When not to use RTF

In some cases, RTF is unsuitable. Therefore, we recommend using another scanning mode in these cases:

  • Engineering and measurement.
  • When the object has a very complicated shape and can not be captured in one scan (for example, it must be rotated to capture the other side).
  • Extra-large objects that can not be captured in one scanning session.

Our team is here to help! If you have any questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing support@artec3d.com or by clicking on "Submit a request" button at the bottom right side of the screen. We will always be happy to assist you and will get back to you as soon as we can.

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