Taking the Images
These are guidelines for getting the best possible reconstruction from the software. Feel free to experiment.
1. the space
- A large space, indoors. Large enough to contain the model, lights, and space to move around comfortably.
- Clutter-free area. If you can make everything besides the object a matte black or grey, that's optimal, but at least the surface under the model should be a solid, matte color.
- Lights should be evenly spaced around the model. I use 3 lights around the model. A fourth above would be nice, but I'd have to hang it.
- Turn off other lights that create reflections on the model. Make sure there are as few shadows as possible - adjust the lights as necessary.
2. the object
- DO NOT MOVE THE OBJECT!!!!!! once you begin shooting. The camera moves, not the object.
- Set the model high enough to comfortably take pictures of lower areas, but not so high you can't see the top.
- Raise the object off the surface - on a block of wood or the like. This helps the software distinguish the model from the surface.
- Glossy, reflective, and transparent objects will generally fail during the software reconstruction process.
3. Camera Settings
- Set the white balance on your camera and leave it. The box your lightbulbs came in will tell you their color temperature. Set your camera as close to that as possible. At the very least the white balance must not be on auto. The color will change from image to image and screw up your results.
- High resolution pictures give the best details. Set resolution as high as your camera allows.
- Set the focus and metering area - the center. If you know about depth of field, you want a lot of it. (Your camera may not allow you to change this.)
- Set the ISO - 100 or 200 are best don't go lower than 400. Too grainy.
- TURN YOUR FLASH OFF! A flash is a quick way to ruin your setup.
Take the pictures!
- Shoot one image every 5-10 degrees.We need images of the entire object, with huge overlap from one image to the next.
>Imagine your object is the center of a bicycle wheel with 60-70 spokes. Your job is to walk around the rim, taking pictures every spoke.
>After you take one image, move just a little around the model. Better to take more pictures than less.
>If the object is complex or rather large, you may also want to move up and down some with each picture, to make sure your getting all the hidden areas.
Check images
Be sure to check the images after you take them.
- No blurry images
- There should be sufficient overlap from one shot to the next.
- The whole object is included in each shot (don't cut off parts of the object).
Once you've got your images, it's time to get reconstructing!
