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How the arts are benefiting from the precision of 3D scanning and printing
Sculptors are turning to the technological advantages of 3D scanning and printing to assist with the artistic process. Useful throughout the life cycle of a creative project, from capturing the form and detail of work, to scaling models as well as digital archiving on completion; 3D modelling can become one of an artists most useful tools.
Recently British Sculptor Antony Dufort recruited the scanning team at EuroPac3D to assist him in the design process for one of his incumbent works. His vision for the commission involved numerous clay sculptures that would need to be scaled in order to work together as one piece. EuroPac3d scanned each individual piece using a portable handheld 3D scanner. The raw data point cloud was registered and then converted into a triangulated polygonal mesh.
The individual meshes were then scaled and visualised digitally next to each other in order to check proportions for the final artwork. At this final stage the triangulated 3D models could be 3D printed for Dufort to reference, before committing to producing the final piece.
For this project Europac3D utilised the innovative Artec Leo 3D scanner. This wireless, handheld device is the first 3D scanner to offer onboard automatic processing, making 3D scanning as easy as taking a video. As an object is being scanned the user is able to see the 3D visualisation being built in real time on the device’s touch panel screen, ensuring that all areas have been captured and allowing any detail that has been missed to be digitally filled.
Free Miner Of The Forest Of Dean by Europac3d on Sketchfab
Fast, Easy and Portable
Artec leo Handheld 3D Scanner
Artec Leo provides a fully mobile scanning experience as the smartest 3D scanner on the market.
Mark Beckett, Technical Director at EuroPac3D explains why Artec Leo was the best choice for this work.
“Leo provides complete freedom of movement when scanning, allowing you to move around the part quickly and easily. With a large field of view even large objects and scenes can be reconstructed fast and accurately. If even greater precision is required we are able to point the scanner closer to the object to pick up intricate detail, just as you would zoom in with a video camera. A live video stream to an additional screen provides the artist with a real time view of their piece being scanned. The full scan data is then quickly uploaded at the touch of a button. This means we are able to have open dialogue with the artist at the point of scanning to allow us to establish we have captured the information required.”
EuroPac3D has a long established relationship with Antony Dufort working together on several projects. Artec Leo was also used to capture his ‘Free Miner’ public sculpture in 3D. Accurately capturing the detail and texture of the bronze sculpture.