Sushmita Roy

How Effective and Beneficial is 3D Scan Cleanup?

Is the concept of 3D scan cleanup relatively new to you? Curious to learn about its fundamentals? Stick to the end of this blog and get all your queries answered.

                  

                   What is 3D scan cleanup, and why is it done?

 It is a process of removing noise, artifacts, and other unwanted elements from a 3D scan to develop a clean, accurate, and usable model. This can be done by removing holes or gaps in the mesh, smoothing out rough surfaces, removing duplicated or unnecessary vertices, etc. 

 It is always a good practice to check and repair the mesh for non-manifold edges and vertices that can cause problems in downstream processing and 3D printing.

 

                          Techniques used in the process

 

 The specific techniques deployed for the cleaning process depend on the particular software and tools being used, as well as the specific requirements of the project. 

 Some common tools include mesh editing software, like MeshLab or Blender, and advanced 3D scanning software, such as Agisoft Photoscan. 

 

             What are the practical advantages of 3D scan cleanups?

 

Cleaning up a 3D mesh scan has its own advantages in improving the usability and appeal of a 3D model; thus making it more functional to be used for a wider range of tasks, such as 3D printing, animation, and virtual reality. Mostly, the process helps make the process of 3D printing more seamless.

 Apart from these, there are several advantages to performing 3D scan cleanup:

Improved accuracy and quality: When 3D artists cleanup a 3D scan, they remove noise and artifacts that scanned images usually come with, negatively impacting the final outcome. A professional cleanup significantly improves the overall accuracy of the model, making it more useful for a wide range of applications.

Smaller file size: As the cleanup process removes much of the unnecessary data from a 3D scan, it greatly reduces the file size, making the models easier to share, store, and work with.

 Appealing aesthetics: Cleaned-up scans have an attractive appearance with striking visual features and elements that are made more prominent. This makes the model to be more visually appealing for use in animation, video games, or product visualization.

Easier to edit: Clean 3D scans are much easier to edit and modify, as they have less noise and inconsistencies. This makes the workflow for 3D artists even faster and most productive.

Better compatibility: 3D mesh cleaning improves the model’s compatibility with other 3D modeling software or hardware, as non-manifold edges and vertices can cause problems in downstream processing and 3D printing.

 

                 The 3D mesh cleanup process - A detailed analysis

 

The cleanup process is a comprehensive, step-by-step procedure; therefore, it is time-consuming, and requires thorough technical expertise. Although most of the work is done by the scanning software, the scan cleaner must have a sharp eye for detail to supervise the entire thing. Not a single detail must be missed; otherwise, it will adversely affect the final outcome. 

 Hence, it is always recommended to hire a professional agency for the task that possesses adequate tech knowledge, expertise, as well as practical experience.

 Let’s find out the steps involved in the cleanup process:

 Preparation

Once the raw scans are received from the client, 3D experts brainstorm about the outcome and create a defined POA (plan of action). Each prep and POA must be custom drafted as all projects are unique from each other.

Geometry Optimization

Also called “Scan Optimization”, in this phase, the object’s geometry is cleaned, and the poly count is reduced to make the object smooth, devoid of any extra curves or bulges. The smoother the model’s surface, the more flawless the final model becomes.

3D Mesh Retopology

In this phase, complicated 3D models are simplified into a low resolution with a lower poly count using mesh retopology. This is done either manually or in an automated way. Less poly count doesn’t mean low resolution; instead, it simplifies the process for the 3D artist.

Surface Detailing

The surface detailing step is done to smoothen or clean the surface mesh, fix holes, etc., without tampering with the surface details or shapes. Professionally trained 3D mesh cleaners maintain the high, medium, and low detail frequencies on the surface.

 UV Mapping & Unwrapping

 UV mapping implies wrapping the mesh with a 2D texture, i.e., the artist transforms the 3D mesh into 2D data to paint on the surface. Although the opening or unfolding of the mesh to create the 2D texture is done by UV unwrapping.

 Texturing

This step involves the 3D artist either creating a new texture from scratch or fixing an existing one. Based on the requirement, this step is implemented. If the 3D scan will be printed, texturing is not required, but if it will be integrated into a gaming engine or animated, this process is necessary.
 

 

              Professional 3D scan cleanup benefits which industries?

 

A wide range of sectors and industries can reap the benefit of the scan cleanup process and 3D print design services. In fact, many of these industries have already started adapting it within their workflow. This includes:

 

Architects and engineers: Cleaning up 3D scans of building interiors and exteriors can help architects and engineers create more accurate and detailed models for use in design and construction.

 Industrial designers: Industrial designers can create more accurate and detailed models for product development and prototyping with cleaned scans of products.

 Game developers and animators: Characters and objects require cleanup of their scans, as it helps game developers and animators create more realistic and detailed models for users.

Medical professionals: Cleaning up 3D scans of body parts can help medical professionals create more accurate and detailed models for use in research, diagnosis, and treatment.

 Researchers and scientists: With cleaned 3D scans, researchers and scientists can develop more accurate and detailed models for research and analysis. Also, they are used for a wide range of research applications, like virtual reality simulations, anatomical studies, and biomimicry research.

 Automobiles: 3D mesh cleanups result in giving accurate measurements of a car's body or internal components. This data also provides information about the vehicle's practical functionality as well as any potential issues. All of this data thereby enable automobile engineers to develop more accurate and detailed car models.

 

Finally, it is safe to say that 3D scans are here to stay. With more and more advancements in 3D technology and 3D modeling services, industries enjoy manifold benefits from adopting the technology within their processes.

 Be it 360-degree product spins, product display on websites, models for AR/VR apps, or 3D printing models, 3D scanned images deliver massive advantages. The usage of hyper-realistic three-dimensional scans has reached robotics, prosthetics, manufacturing prototypes, and much more.

Eventually, these scans will require meticulous cleaning for 3D artists to develop flawless 3D models for their respective purposes. Partnering with an experienced agency that provides 3D scan cleanup services, retopology services, etc., executed by proficient 3D specialists, is the best way to harness this technology!