About the UITS Research Technologies 3D Initiative

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Overview

IU3D is the Initiative to Understand, Document, Digitize, and Distribute 3D content. This effort aims to centralize 3D digitization expertise, share learned experience, and grow 3D digitization impact for the IU community and beyond. There are multiple ways to capture data for 3D object creation. Below are the methods currently supported by the UITS Research Technologies 3D Initiative.

Capture methods

3D photogrammetry

Photogrammetry creates 3D data of real-world subjects using photographic sequences and photogrammetric processing software. Its strengths include texture accuracy, cost of equipment, portability, and capability of capturing objects of various sizes from the very small to complete landscapes and buildings. For a complete description of capture needs and software available for HPC computing, see About Photogrammetry at UITS.

3D scanning with GoScans

The GoScan scanning systems are useful when 3D surface data needs to be acquired quickly and accuracy trumps texture quality. These systems use structured light and proprietary software to acquire objects from a half inch cubic volume up to a ten foot cubic volume. The system captures color, but not as well as photogrammetry. For capturing quality color or objects of sizes outside the GoScan capabilities, UITS recommends starting with photogrammetry techniques.

3D scanning with a Matterport

Matterports are ideal for capturing interior spaces. Data captured from a Matterport system includes high quality 360 spherical images and lower quality geometric 3D mesh data. For an example, see Matterport Scan of the IUPUI Math Assistance Center (MAC). Note when you click on the image of the MAC scan you are taken to the Matterport site that hosts Matterport scans. In the Matterport site, you can choose to view the data in "dollhouse mode" (outside looking into data) or immerse yourself in the 3D space, including support for head-mounted display virtual reality. To schedule an initial consultation to see if scanning is the right method for you, contact IU3D.

Other methods of capture

UITS Research Technologies does not have the hardware listed below, but can advise you on methods of acquisition using these tools and put you in touch with resources. Contact IU3D.

  • Drones
  • LIDAR
  • Volumetric Capture (CT Scans)

Post-processing workflows

UITS also provides training on established workflows for post-processing 3D mesh data acquired with any method, and for extracting 3D mesh data from volumetric capture. Contact IU3D to arrange a consultation.

Distribution methods

Sketchfab is currently the platform of choice for many 3D digitizers because of the variety of file types it accepts and the ability to embed models in other content management systems such as Omeka, view them via augmented reality, and view them in virtual reality. However, it is not a long-term storage solution, nor is it a true repository.

3D printing is another way to share 3D models.

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Last modified on 2023-04-18 13:38:24.