By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

2. Merge flat scans of objects into three-dimensional virtual objects.

3. Merge multiple scan sets scanned at different orientations.

4. Repair and modify merged scansets.

5. Output virtual objects as stl files, specifying a resolution.

For more information:

There is a reference manual on the Cyberware M-15 Laser Scanner that must stay with the machine in Room AT 136. Please refer to it as needed. You can visit Cyberware on the Internet at http://www.cyberware.com/. Among the items available are samples of scanned objects.

Procedure

To begin:

1. Switch M-15 on before turning on the computer, and make sure the light on the M-15 comes on.

2. Turn on the computer.

3. Log on as "student" with no password. Dismiss any errors.

4. Place part on turntable with gray clay.

5. Measure the part.

6. Open Cydir

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To scan:

In the CyDir windows:

7. Click white right triangle after "Dir." window.

8. To navigate to the directory:

8A. Double click ".."

8B. Double click "d:/<>"

8C. Double click "classes"

8D. Double click the directory for your class.

9. Type in the project name (8 alpha-numeric character maximum) (e.g., "turtle1") and press Enter.

10. Click "Create."

11. Click "Select."

12. Click the white down triangle after the directory name.

13. Replace "???" with "1" (for the first set of scans) and press Enter. (Most forget to press Enter.)

14. Click the white right triangle after this window.

15. Click "Scan."

In the Guee Window:

16. Click "Open" and rearrange the pop-up windows.

17. In the CyScan window, set the width, pitch and surface, if necessary. Remember the pitch because other scan sets must use it.

18. In the Guee window, select the number of scans.

19. Click "Scan." If prompted, home the axes.

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To merge flat scans into a 3D scanset:

20. After the last scan is done, click "Merge" (not "Align and Merge.")

In the CyPie Window:

21. With the void radio button marked, click "All."

22. Use the mouse to paint red on areas to be removed, and the space bar to accept. Remember the closed-area trick. Use the "clear" button as needed. Please, do not leave any bad data in the file: "When it doubt, take it out."

23. Click "Despike," the "All."

24. Click "Auto Align." (Afterwards, if you see parallel lines indicating misalignment, delete a bad scan or align at a latitude.)

25. Click "Merge" near the bottom of the CyPie window.

In the CyDir Windows:

26. For the next series of scans, reposition the part and click the green plus "+" next to your scanset. Follow steps 13 through 25. (You may need to change the CyScan width, but use the same pitch as before.)

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To align and merge scansets:

27. To combine scanset 1 with scanset 2, select "Align and Merge."

28. Click "Guess" (or the parts may have to be manually aligned.)

29. Click "Refine."

30. Click "Final."

31. Observe the model and determine the next orientation to scan, if necessary.

32. If acceptable, click "Merge."

33. Make and merge additional scansets, as needed.

34. To align future scansets, make sure the radio button to the left of the scanset has a white dot in it, and the scanset on tip is your master (Usually scan # 1.) An "M" indicates that a scanset has already been merged. Overwrite files as needed when prompted.

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To edit after all alignment and merging:

35. Dismiss all but the original CyDir window, and click on the white right triangle nest to "Edit Mesh."

36. Double click on "hires.ply".

Special notes on positioning and viewing the mesh:

A. Maximize the window.

B. Left click and drag for rotation.

C. Control - left click and drag for pan.

D. Control - left click and drag (bottom left to top right) for rotation in window plane.)

E. Control - middle click and drag up and down to zoom.

F. S to shade.

37. With the cursor over a non-blue area, type "h" "f" to hide file.

38. Type "v" for Void.

39. Tap the right mouse button to void all outside a 1-pixel box.

40. Type "h" "u" to unhide fill.

41. Type "." "e" to save everything, and enter an appropriate new filename (e.g., turtle1a), then press Enter. It will append "ply". Save often.

42. Press "Shift F", "Shift F" to fill all holes. Press Enter to accept a default of 0.

43. Press "Shift F", "c" for a final cleaning. Press Enter to accept defaults.

You may want to void more, but always do a final clean. You may want to smooth with Shift G or the 6 key.

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To convert the 3D file:

44. Click the white right triangle after "Convert Mess" on the original CyDir window.

45. Select your file and click "Convert."

In Mtool:

46. Click "Sort faces."

47. If desired, decimate to produce a smaller file. (Remember to press Enter after entering a percentage.)

48. Click the triangle next to Output and elect/name the output file and type.

49. Click "Convert" on the Mtool window.