Hello Alair,
As you probably know, laser scanning has been optimal when lots of detail
and resolution is required, and an unstructured polygonal mesh was
sufficient. The challenge has been how to convert the massive amount of
data into a useable format. At Paraform, we offer software and services to
do just that. Building on technology developed over the last 5 years at
Stanford University's Computer Graphics lab, we're creating commercial
software to convert unstructured 3D data directly into NURBS surfaces
suitable for use in the various modeling and CAD packages.
Presently, we're offering services using our pre-release software. We
expect to ship our V1.0 product in the Spring of 1999. We can output NURBS
surfaces or structured polygons in OBJ or STEP format. We've done several
projects for customers in the following markets: films, special effects,
LBE, toys, sporting goods, medical, athletic gear, automotive, museums, and
various other entertainment and industrial design applications.
Scanning technology has improved dramatically over the past years, and an
accuracy of =/- 0.01mm is now possible with some systems. Our technology
allows us to maintain that accuracy when converting the unstructured scanned
data into NURBS surfaces, generally in much less time than would be required
with traditional approaches.
If you have specific projects in mind, we'd be glad to discuss them with
you. We can convert your scanned data into NURBS surfaces or structured
polygons with the specific UV density and orientation that you request. We
can also arrange to have your objects scanned through a number of affiliated
scanning bureaus around the country.
Regards,
Brian
***************
Brian Kissel
CEO, Paraform, Inc.
795 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone: 650.846.2110 Fax: 650.846.2160 URL: www.paraform.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-rp-ml@ltk.hut.fi [mailto:owner-rp-ml@ltk.hut.fi] On Behalf Of
lonepeak
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 1998 7:41 AM
To: RP-ML
Subject: Digitizing / Laser Scanning
We recently bid out a large job that required "reverse engineering" of a
life size, complicated figure (Star Wars kind of detail). This figure
had clothes, earrings, head pieces, etc.
We choose to digitize the figure rather than laser scan it but I am
curious about what experiences others have had in this area and where the
group as a whole feels the state-of-the-art is with respect to digitizing
vs laser scanning is currently.
Our requirements for the project were:
1. Produce both NURBS and Polygon files.
2. Create numerous small scale replicas using FDM and 3DP
3. Create a 20 foot replica
4. Produce CAD files suitable for ProE or I-DEAS
5. Create billboard size renderings.
6. Mirror features that could be mirrored (for example - half the face,
the feet)
7. Not include "blemishes" in the figure that were pointed out by the
artists.
8. Obtain maximum geometry details for all areas, including overhangs
(such as in the ear areas).
9. Realistic (meaning as small as possible) file sizes.
We are very happy with the files that were generated via digitizing but
I would like to hear discussions comparing the two technologies.
Thanks in advance!!!
Alair Griffin
Engineer
Javelin, a Lone Peak Company
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
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