In certain cases, it might be useful to combine the raw data captured by different types of scanners in order to produce a single 3D model with unique properties (such as accuracy or resolution) unavailable when using just one of the scanners alone.
Most often, this approach is used for scanning large objects, individual smaller parts of which must be captured with higher resolution for reasons such as quality inspection or reverse-engineering. In this case, the object can be quickly scanned as a whole using Leo or Eva scanner, and then its individual smaller parts, requiring more detailed reconstruction, can be scanned with Spider. The same process is also applicable to smaller items, where the object can be scanned as a whole using Spider scanner, and then its individual smaller parts can be scanned with Micro.
In general, the above process usually consists of the following basic steps:
a) scan an the whole object with one type of scanner
b) scan parts of the object with the other type of scanner
c) process the scanned data individually, for both types of scanner used
d) combine the processed data from different types of scanners together
e) process the resulting combined model
Below you will find the instructions for applying these basic steps for combining the data for different types of Artec Scanners.
Leo/Eva and Spider
1) Scan the object using Leo/Eva scanner, as a whole or as much as necessary for your particular purpose.
2) Scan parts of the object requiring additional resolution and/or accuracy with Spider.
- you can either scan in the same Artec Studio project or create two separate projects. In the later case, you'll have to export the applicable scanned data from one project and import it into the other in order to have all the data together in the same project for combined processing
- make sure that the surface areas scanned with Spider are also sufficiently scanned with Leo/Eva, so that the data from both scanners can be successfully aligned together
3) Separately process just the Leo/Eva data.
- make sure that the Leo or Eva preset is selected in Artec Studio for processing, for the applicable type of scanner
- process the data in the regular fashion, but stop before making the fusion
- the exact processing algorithms might vary, but should generally include Alignment and Global Registration
- if you like, you can make a test fusion to make sure that the overall quality of your scanned data is satisfactory
4) Separately process just the Spider data.
- make sure that the Spider preset is selected in Artec Studio for processing
- process the data in the regular fashion, but stop before making the fusion
- make sure that your scanned data quality is satisfactory
5) Combine the Leo/Eva and Spider data together.
- use the "Lock registration" function (click the
icon to the right of the scan, or right-mouse-click on the scan and select "Lock registration") in Workspace to lock the processed Spider scans - switch the scanner preset to either Leo or Eva depending upon the type of scanner you've used
- select both the Leo/Eva and Spider scans an open the Align tool
- separate the Leo/Eva and Spider scans into two groups: blue (Leo/Eva, registered) and green (Spider, unregistered)
- align the locked Spider scans to your Leo/Eva scans using Rigid Align
- perform the Global Registration of the aligned Leo/Eva and locked Spider scans
- select just the Leo/Eva scans and use the eraser tool to remove the surface area from the Leo/Eva scans, which is also covered by the Spider scans
(this step is necessary for obtaining the additional resolution and/or accuracy in the applicable areas)
- fuse the combined data from both scanners together, using the fusion type and the highest resolution suitable for your Leo/Eva scans
In result, the areas of your combined fusion scanned with Spider should have better resolution and/or accuracy in comparison to the areas scanned with Leo/Eva.
Spider and Micro
1) Scan the object using Spider scanner, as a whole or as much as necessary for your particular purpose.
2) Scan parts of the object requiring additional resolution and/or accuracy with Micro.
3) Separately process just the Spider data. Make sure that the Spider preset is selected in Artec Studio for processing.
4) Separately process just the Micro data. Make sure that the Micro preset is selected in Artec Studio for processing.
5) Combine the Spider and Micro data together.
- use the "Lock registration" function (click the icon to the right of the scan, or right-mouse-click on the scan and select "Lock registration") in Workspace to lock the processed Micro scans
- switch the scanner preset to Spider
- select both the Spider and Micro scans an open the Align tool
- separate the Spider and Micro scans into two groups: blue (Spider, registered) and green (Micro, unregistered)
- align the locked Micro scans to your Spider scans using Rigid Align
- perform the Global Registration of the aligned Spider and locked Micro scans
- select just the Spider scans and use the eraser tool to remove the surface area from the Spider scans, which is also covered by the Micro scans
- fuse the combined data from both scanners together, using the fusion type and the highest resolution suitable for your Spider scans
In result, the areas of your combined fusion scanned with Micro should have better resolution and/or accuracy in comparison to the areas scanned with Spider.
In case you experience any issues with your Artec 3D scanner or require technical assistance with your device or Artec Studio, in the first instance please contact your local Artec dealer/distributor directly. You can also contact the Artec Support Team by clicking on the "Submit a request" button at the bottom right of the screen or by emailing support@artec3d.com