DAVID 3D laserscan software
Computer scientists from Germany have developed a way to laser-scan an object via a webcam into your computer. The software calculates the 3D dimensions based on the input it receives from the webcam, which views the laser beam being swept over the object you are scanning. At first it looked as though this was too-good-to-be-true, but you decide for yourself. I haven't tried this myself, and I really don't know what I would use it for, but it looks very cool for anyone thinking about scanning your own head, your cat, or something else in 3D. I suppose any 3D or game artists would find it useful, since they are constantly trying to find good ways of mapping a new object into the computer so they can model it, play with it, and change it. The software that accomplishes this feat of engineering is available as a free download. The software you can download doesn't allow full 360 degree scans...yet. Hopefully the developers will put out a new version in response to all the feedback they will undoubtedly be getting. We shall see.
[Via Engadget]
[Via Engadget]















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-26-2006 @ 10:58PM
Ryan Carter said...
You use a laser-pointer in your hand and the webcam records the beam's path across an object. Who doesn't have a laser pointer lying around?
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12-26-2006 @ 11:42PM
Naser said...
Holy shmoley... is this for real? In that case, "Look out Universal Studios, your days at sandy Florida is numbered"
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12-27-2006 @ 10:45AM
John said...
"All you need is a PC, a camera (e.g. a webcam), a background corner, **and a laser**"
Anyone got a spare laser around the house?
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12-27-2006 @ 10:49AM
Catweazle said...
Aw shucks, now where did I put my laser? Seriously, wtf?
Reply
12-27-2006 @ 6:15PM
Koko the Klown said...
"but it looks very cool for anyone thinking about scanning your own head, your cat, or something else in 3D"
eh, maybe if the cat is dead itll sit still long enough to allow being scanned
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12-28-2006 @ 4:13PM
Arbilli said...
Its actually pretty cheap to setup a system to do the scanning. For mine, I bought a 50 dollar web cam from best buy, and a 20 dollar laser level from home depot.
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1-05-2007 @ 5:25PM
Argha said...
That's really cool, reminds me of a different one that uses a camera and a projector that I've seen.
http://www.3d3solutions.com - It pretty low cost too, and the results look a lot more usable.
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1-07-2007 @ 12:50PM
Robert said...
this sounds amazing.
And guess what I got for Christmas?
A laser pointer!
One end has the laser, the other a regular pen as well as a plastic tip you can use to write on a PCtablet.
I wonder how I make certain the laser pointer scans everything, since i'd have to do it by hand.
But I'll go for the software and give it a try.
Sounds cool.
bob
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1-07-2007 @ 12:50PM
Robert said...
sounds cool to me, if its real.
And Harbor Freight is have a sale on their laser lever, utnil the middle of January--I think it was $5, which is a steal.
And guess what I got for Christmas--a real laser pointer, with the laser on one end, a pen on the other, with a plastic tip that can be used to scribe on a PC tablet.
This sounds like a cool program. but how do you scan your ownself in? Keep one eye closed while you point the laser at one side of your face and then close the other other for the other side of the face? Sounds a little like sitting on a xerox or fax machine and mailing your friends or enemies, the resulting picture.
Well, I'm off to download the software.
Thanks for the info.
bob
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1-07-2007 @ 4:09PM
Robert said...
btw, where is the download for this?
I found it at the site, in the first link--available in German only. but beside it is a ball that cycles yellow and red colors.
Does this mean it's not available anymore?
If so, anyone want to shoot me a copy of it?
Or tell me where the link is?
Thanks, Bob
Reply
1-26-2007 @ 9:00PM
lxy said...
I have downloaded david software,but when I run it,some parts of the dialog didn't appear.So I can't use it properly! Is there anyone that came to this problem before? Help me please!
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