How To Use Realsense On An Camera That Does Not Support It

This mail was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated in Feb 2017 with more information and example scans

I but got this question as a reply to my Facebook Page:

It'southward an interesting one, and the answer I wrote was so long that I decided to put it up here so it'south available for anybody with that wants to kickoff 3D Scanning — and 3D Printing — on a budget:

Occipital Construction Sensor

Buy on Amazon ($379 including bracket)

Let's outset with the Structure Sensor (Review), because that's the one that I have most feel with. In fact, I think I scanned about ~~100200~~ 300 objects and people with it in the last couple of months. It's is wireless and has great standalone iPad apps and the option to browse wirelessly to a Mac or PC with Skanect (Review). That final characteristic means you can make scans that a tablet tin't handle, like big objects and rooms.

For 3D scanning with the Structure Sensor in general, simply especially in combination with 3D press, you should read my Review of the itSeez3D app, which adds a few handy—fully automated—features specifically for 3D printing selfies. The i-click "hollowing" process saves a lot of coin on 3D printing.

Here are some example scans (all with itSeez3D) of a small object, medium object and human bust:

As you can see they're all pretty nice. If you put the embeds in MatCap render mode yous can come across the geometry without textures. This might non be as detailed equally a professional scanner like the Artec Eva (Review) but those price upwardly of $x,000. The textures are actually great and you lot tin can make 3D prints of these scans on minor scale pretty well — especially in full color where the nice texture will compensate for the lack of geometric detail.

3D Scanned Selfies (with Structure Sensor and itSeez3D), 3D Printed in Full Color Sandstond (by Shapeways)

These scans are made with Construction Sensor, itSeez3D and 3D Printed in Full Colour Sandstone by Shapeways at ten cm pinnacle.

Intel RealSense SR300

Buy 3D Systems Sense ii ($355.26) on Amazon
Buy Artistic BlasterX Senz3D ($199) on Amazon
Purchase Razer Stargazer ($149) on Amazon

In that location are currently three versions of Intel'due south RealSense: The RealSense R200 (globe-facing) sensor is a chip older, but even so existence sold. There used to be a F200 (user-facing) version but this has been replaced past the newer RealSense SR300, which is technically a user-facing sensor, just has enough range for 3D scanning up to homo size subjects.

The SR300 is integrated into various devices past 3rd parties. For 3D Scanning, the most important 1 is the 3D Systems Sense ii (Review) pictured higher up. This version is really intended for 3D scanning and comes in a housing that makes information technology easy to hold information technology in upright position. It works with the great (and free) Sense for RealSense software.

Other products that characteristic the SR300 are the Razer Stargazer and Creative BlasterX Senz3D (pictured in the header image). I take a Sense 2 and the Creative device (which I purchased every bit a SDK from Intel earlier) and they both piece of work with the Sense for RealSense Software. Simply multiple people accept let me know that the Razer Stargazer doesn't work with that Software and I'one thousand non sure if retail versions of the Creative device volition. I've reached out to 3D Systems to clarify this.

For those devices you can use the gratuitous Intel RealSense SDK 3D Scan app which admittedly is less adept and a lot more basic than 3D System' Sense for RealSense software.

Yous can also utilise RealSense devices with RecFusion (which I will review presently) — a comprehensive software suite that costs $99. Or with Artec Studio 11 Ultimate (Reviewed as function of my Artec Eva Review) but that costs €800 a yr which might be a flake steep for compared to the price of the hardware.

If you desire a depth sensor to brand 3D Scans on a Windows 10 auto, the RealSense SR300 is a not bad option. Because of the with free, versatile software I currently advice to get the 3D Systems Sense ii instead of the slightly cheaper webcam-style alternatives.

Here are the same subjects I scanned with the Structure Sensor, scanned with the SR300:

As you tin encounter the object scans are comparable to those made with the Construction Sensor, albeit with slightly less crispy textures. For scanning people, I found that the SR300 works okay for busts only that things get a bit catchy when trying to exercise total torso scans (see examples of that in my Full SR300 Review). The Construction Sensor is ameliorate in that field.

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox One (a.k.a. Kinect V2)

Buy Sensor on Amazon ($99.99) | Buy Windows Adapter on Amazon ($39.99)

Microsoft'due south original Kinect for Xbox 360 (V1) has been responsible for the uprising of low-budget 3D Scanning. That sensor is withal widely supported by many 3D Scanning apps similar Skanect. This sensor is now outdated. Information technology might still be okay for basic geometry capture, only the texture quality isn't proficient enough for today'south standards.

On paper, Kinect V2 solves that by upgrading the RGB camera to Hard disk resolution. Microsoft even used to sell a version branded as Kinect for Windows which is no longer existence sold. You tin can still get a Kinect (V2) for Xbox 1 merely you'll demand to buy the Windows Adapter separately. I did that because information technology's nevertheless cheap and I was curious to the quality and user experience.

Sadly, both aren't very good and tin't compare to either the Structure Sensor or the RealSense SR300. For starters, many applications that back up the Kinect 360 — like Skanect, ReconstructMe and RecFusion — don't support Microsoft'south latest depth sensor.

Microsoft does have its ain 3D Scan app for Windows, but I couldn't go annihilation pretty out of it. Here'south a attempt on the bosom:

The only program I could get to work with the Kinect V2 and get somewhat decent results was Artec Studio 11, simply every bit I wrote before that costs €800 a year which is probably not the budget of people that are seeking to make 3D scans in the cheapest possible way. Here's the result:

That result isn't extremely bad or annihilation, merely as yous can run across the texture brightness is very inconsistent. That's because the exposure of the Kinect V2's RGB photographic camera cannot be locked. This means that it volition accommodate the brightness based on the management you're pointing the sensor. And because the camera's on the Kinect V2 are very wide-bending this is a real trouble.

This wide angle makes the Kinect V2 perfectly suitable for sensing motion and depth of people in front of a TV playing games, but less for 3D scanning — certainly not small things. It also makes it nigh impossible for 3D scanning on a manual turntable, because the tracking gets confused past your arm inbound the frame. I scanned Teddy for comparing:

Every bit a concluding annotation, it's good to realize that the while the Construction Sensor is battery powered and the RealSense SR300 is USB-powered, the Kinect V2's Windows Adapter needs to be plugged into a ability outlet to operate. The cables are very long, but it'south still a hassle that impacts the overal user experience.

Needless to say I don't recall Kinect V2 is a contender for depth sensor 3D scanning in 2017.

This might be a good Kinect alternative!

I will before long review the $149 Orbbec Astra S which offers OpenNI2 & Android support and can be used with software like RecFusion (you can fifty-fifty use multiple ones simultaneously in with RecFusion Pro). The "S" version I'll examination is the Brusque Range version optimized for 3D Scanning people and objects. For Long Range scanning at a more Kinect-similar range, take a await at the similarly prices Astra and Astra Pro (which offers Hd RGB quality).

Which ane should you lot buy? (updated)

My communication is very elementary.

Don't get a Kinect V2 for 3D Scanning. Menses. Fifty-fifty the original Kinect 360 is more versatile if yous don't demand the (texture) resolution.

If yous already have a compatible iPad or the upkeep to buy one, you should really consider the Structure Sensor. It'southward indeed "elegant 3D scanning" as Occipital calls information technology. It works great equally a standalone device (itSeez3D is a precious stone!) with just the iPad and you lot have the extra option of streaming browse data to a PC or Mac with Skanect (over again, that software review is actually coming shortly now!). Yous tin can scan medium to large objects by walking around them or on a turntable with ease. Scanning people is also a breeze. Just mind that yous take a good light kit (I've written split up post about that).

If you take a decent Windows laptop (permit's say non older than 1-ii years) the Intel RealSense SR300 is as well something to consider. 3D Systems has made that sensor into a great value-for-money 3D Scanner, especially because of the software. It'due south great for objects, but scanning people will require some more practice. Busts are doable, but Total Torso Scanning is not this sensor's strong indicate.

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