Proper preparation before scanning helps to ensure a good image. Take the time
to choose the best style, motion and placement.
Choosing the Type of Scan
With most Cyberware motion platforms, you will need to decide whether a linear or cylindrical scan is more appropriate for the object you wish to scan.
To determine if cylindrical scanning is appropriate for the object you wish to digitize, consider the following:
Imagine an axis down the center of the object. If the surfaces of interest can
be seen well by spinning the object around that axis and looking straight at
its center, a cylindrical scan will probably be the best choice.
Linear Scanning
If you are only interested in one viewing angle, or the object is flat or
complex, one or more linear scans may be more appropriate. Also, any object
that has appendages, or a very detailed surface would be best scanned using a
linear motion.
Preparing the object
Objects or parts of objects may be light-reflective or light-absorbent, both of
which are difficult to scan. If you need to include data on a difficult
surface, you will need to have cornstarch, tempera paint, or a developer spray
to coat the object, and a means to apply the coating. Tempera paint and a brush
are included with every digitizer.
Tips and Tricks
Shiny Objects
If the color texture map is not required the object should be painted a matte grey color. We suggest using a tempera paint for this, as tempera paints are easily washed off with a little water and a cloth.
If, however, the color texture maps are important, the model can be
coated with a photographic dulling spray. This dulling spray will not
affect the color maps, and does a fine job of dulling the surface. Please note
that these sprays are difficult to remove from an object.
Capturing Hair
Hair is very difficult for a laser-based scanner to capture. In order to better digitize this we suggest sprinkling a light coating of corn starch in the subject's hair. Only a small amount of corn starch is required, so you need not completely coat the subject.
For even better results, use a make-up artist's spray. These sprays are
commonly used to make a person look as if his/her hair is grey. These sprays are
available in several colors at beauty-supply and crafts stores.
Placing the object
Cylindrical Scanning
If you are performing a cylindrical scan, center the subject as near to the
center of rotation as possible. A 3030 model digitizer can sense objects that
fit within a 30 cm × 30 cm window. If the object is taller than 30
cm, you must scan the object at different heights and paste them together. If
the object is wider than 30 cm, some parts of the object will not be
digitized. A model 3030/Hires and Model 15 can only see a maximum of 15 cm in
height; if your object is taller you will need to take more than one scan.
Also, any parts of the object more than 15 cm horizontally from the center
will not be recorded, so keep this in mind when centering the object.
Linear Scanning
For a linear scan, the object should be placed such that the surface of interest is no farther away from the scanner than about 29cm for a 3030 or 14 cm for a 3030/Hires or Model 15. The object should be no closer than about 2 cm from the front lip of the digitizer head. These distances can vary by a centimeter or two, depending on the placement of the scanner on your particular platform.