3-D Laser Scanner

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intro3-D Laser Scanner

Create your own super hi-tech 3-D laser scanner. Using just a laser pointer, wine glass, rotating platform, and a digital video camera, you can make accurate 3-D models of an object or person.

Now on Know How! Click on the steps above for more details.

Do you like this Instructable? Then check out episodes one, two, four, five, six, and
seven!

3-D Laser Scanner

timsmom4.stl 11 MB

step 1Position camera, laser, and cylindrical lens

Align the laser so that its beam passes through the cylindrical lens, creating a vertical line rather than a point, and projects onto your target. Initially, the lens was the stem of a wine glass, but in this picture I use a cylindrical piece of acrylic. Position the video camera at a small angle (~15 degrees) from the laser.

Position camera, laser, and cylindrical lens

step 2Position target on rotating platform

Create a platform which rotates at a constant angular velocity. Record players, for example, are perfect for small objects. Position your target at the center of rotation. And make sure your target closes her eyes!

Position target on rotating platform

step 3Lights, camera, action!

Turn off the lights. To make the image processing easier, it's very helpful to get the room as dark as possible so that only the reflected laser light is visible. Rotate your target at a constant angular velocity. Record the video. Notice how protruding features displace the laser line.

Lights, camera, action!

step 4Process the video

Convert the video to an avi. Use an edge detection algorithm to find the location of the laser line. Reconstruct your 3-D model. I've included an early, uncommented MATLAB script, which was used to generate this image.

Process the video

KnowHowScanner.m 4 KB

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80 comments	Add Comment

1-50 of 80

Nov 30, 2008. 5:12 PMgamer4makersays:

Does anyone know where I can download the executable version he talks about in the video?

Nov 24, 2008. 6:50 PMzeekindustriessays:

I do really need some help with the MATLAB script, I just can't get it right, when I change the word filename for the name of my video (within single quotes), it says "Unexpected MATLAB expression." I do really need the help, hope you could help me out

Nov 22, 2008. 7:30 AMtranoxxsays:

that looks expensive

Jul 10, 2006. 4:19 PMall_thumbssays:

What about a Gimp script?

Sep 20, 2007. 6:30 AMblueforce4116says:

...pretty sure the gimp is made for picture editing. I think you mean blender which dynamic deals with mesh models and such (gimp is more static)...at any rate if you don't have matlab, and there is a good chance that you don't because of its cost you can always use the free software here: http://www.david-laserscanner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=161#161
It actually gives a better end result. This instructables (and the included script) is more for people that actually want to see how the calculations are done. If you want a fast free working solution I would go with the DAVID laser scanner at the above link.

Oct 28, 2008. 6:05 AMrahmansaidsays:

The David Scanner demo shows a horizontal line scan. Would it work with a vertical scan like this? What adjustments need to be made?

Sep 20, 2007. 6:33 AMblueforce4116says:

sry everyone I posted the wrong link. here is the correct one: http://www.david-laserscanner.com/

Oct 28, 2008. 5:38 AMrahmansaidsays:

Can you scan a dark/black object?

Sep 16, 2008. 12:51 PMdcoulombesays:

the handyscan 3d scanner is better than that: http://www.creaform3d.com/en/handyscan3d/default.aspx

Feb 4, 2007. 11:40 AMnerfstersays:

Does the lazer have to be green?

Sep 2, 2008. 11:17 PMthermoelectricsays:

No, thats just to make it look cool

Aug 14, 2005. 8:09 AMalsager19says:

hi Aragon

i love your 3D scanner system. I dont understand how i would process my video data? How does the MATLAB script help?

alsager19

Apr 7, 2008. 5:28 PMGorillazMikosays:

Your comment is the first comment ever posted on Instructables, I am pretty sure.

Aug 26, 2008. 2:39 AMThe Jamalamsays:

it is!

Sep 26, 2007. 7:37 PMbardon08says:

Why not use a laser level with a line lens? It would make for a higher quality model because there would be a thinner line, which would make for more precise measurements.

Jul 29, 2008. 8:07 AMstevie1says:

thats what i was thinking, and i'm pretty sure that laser levels have a threaded thing in the bottom to hook up a tripod to them.

Oct 31, 2006. 9:38 PMzippysays:

Where'd you get the rod?

Jul 27, 2008. 9:03 AMrrrmanionsays:

look at the tag for it , it says u can also use the stem of a wine glass

Jul 27, 2008. 9:05 AMrrrmanionsays:

^{(not being mean) as you read this a while ago and was probably updated between now and then.}

May 21, 2008. 2:15 AMwezyapsays:

Just wondered if you could post digrams/schemas of the setup, distances, angles and so on. also interested in the math and algorithm behind the conversation from a series of images to points in space/nurbs

Mar 23, 2008. 6:02 PMel_filosofosays:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Em4brVxZHE
here is my new video...

hope you liked

Mar 18, 2008. 9:48 PMThe Nate Dawgsays:

Is there a way to do this without Matlab? I don't want to sign up or anything.

Feb 24, 2008. 3:03 PMel_filosofosays:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ych8pgTfD1A

here is my homemade 3dScanner...
take a look...

Jan 22, 2006. 3:42 PMkooroshsays:

would you please tell me after edge detection how i can turn it into 3d? i am using matlab software.

Sep 20, 2007. 6:40 AMblueforce4116says:

Are you referring to the calibration step once the script is already running? Please be more specific.

Feb 6, 2006. 1:56 PMdigitalicesays:

Yeah, please submit the code/script used

Sep 20, 2007. 6:31 AMblueforce4116says:

He did include the script at the bottom of the tutorial...

Feb 12, 2006. 1:05 PMSungamsays:

Hi, does anyone know how to make the script work i matlab or any other program/script to do the same job?

Sep 20, 2007. 6:25 AMblueforce4116says:

you need to create the avi file, and then put it in the same directory as the matlab script. When that is done you need to change the word "filename" to whatever the name of your avi file is (make sure the name is within single quotes). e.g. 'test.avi'
I think that is what you are asking about.

Sep 15, 2007. 9:26 AMUthmansays:

awesome =)

id write my own software for it though =)

Jul 27, 2007. 8:08 AMjosh92176says:

I love the idea bu in you guide you say to use software in order to split up and rename the images. What software is this?

BTW: Gr8 instructable

Jul 26, 2007. 3:40 AMandy60says:

nice idea! i got a red laser pen, that would do would'nt it?

Jul 19, 2007. 1:54 AMsonasays:

Hey Argon I plan on using this for cool visual effects do you think a blue laser would contribute or detract?

Jun 2, 2007. 2:09 AMpyrophotographersays:

is that a 50mw g50 laser?
i have one of those!

May 28, 2007. 3:21 PMschorhrsays:

There are also 3D Scanning solutions utilising a Laser-Line-Tool from the hardware store for 10-30 bucks.
Basicly you need a 15 bucks Laserlinetool and a webcam, but higher resolution equipment and a finer laser will work much better.
The software is freeware.
http://www.david-laserscanner.com/

May 11, 2007. 1:04 AMarachnicsays:

Hey !!

Cool one !
This is a Great idea !!

Mar 27, 2007. 10:28 PMIcepicksays:

I thought that was only possible in cartoons!Guess I was wrong!
(:-]) turn your head