[cadcoke3]

Here is a link to a freeware laser scanner that has been done very professionally. You need a cheap laser with a spread beam, and a usb camera. You also print out a target pattern which allows the camer to be calibrated. You perform the actual scan by sweeping the laser plane across the object by hand.

http://www.david-laserscanner.com/

I've toyed with it a bit, but haven't really been successful yet.


Joe Dunfee

[Harryman]

I've toyed with it a bit, but haven't really been successful yet.

Umhmm, I've heard that before. LOL

Can't beat the price, but you'll find the hardware limits you quite a bit.

[elmerfud]

This software is rubbish!

[spunky1974]

The pro version has better capabilties. But I am working on a setup using the freeware to improve things a bit. The main thing I found with this ware is to give it the best most stable input possible, results are better. For example, build a laser mount with indexing and sweep, also a degree indexed turn table, along with a high res firewire camera (not just a crappy webcam) helps alot, and a good focused laser unit with a edge silohette barrier. You get out what you put into it. This ain't n.a.s.a. ...LOL....most people just wanna good base to build off in cad/cam. It's free ....cain't complain. Now, where's that Matlab script.....8^S

[I_V_A_R]

Is there any system out there for 3D scanning using Y axis pulses(3 axis router), Laser and a webcam as a reference for 3d scanning, It sounds both accurate and possible, to me. Of corse there is scanners for cnc machines, but I'm thinking as affordable as the David...

[independent-cnc]

I have used the free David software with success to document in 3D, a series of hand held ergonomic tool prototypes that have complex organic forms. The meshes are sufficient for me to use as a guide to build finished surfaces over and have confidence that I am maintaining design intent of shapes that would otherwise be difficult to recreate accurately in CAD.

I determined early that my laser line generating level from Home Depot was inadequate. I ordered a line generating laser from AixiZ on eBay. Good prices on the lasers and power source. I made a shutter to tighten the laser line width as the line was still a bit wide for small parts.
A tripod helps to support the laser for hand scanning. Now I would like to automate the sweep of the laser for better control.

I plan to buy the full version, heck it's cheap, and should improve future results. You will not likely get results to rival the expensive systems. You have to be able to calibrate off the background pattern that David uses, which can limit certain scanning operations. Still, I think it's a great product at an unbeatable price, that helped my product development process tremendously.

-independent-

[flannman]

Hi

Just thought i would share the milled results of my head scanned using David Laserscanner. It is milled out of 2inch brass using a 2mm ballnosed tool to finish.

Flannman

[IMG][/IMG]

[motor818]

You guys should check out the NextEngine 3D Scanner video on the Jay Leno Garage site. They have a low cost, but high performance unit that allows creation of just about any file type needed for machining from.
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=944641

[fz1]

I am just starting out with david and almost have my setup completed. I plan on making things stable using the sweep method being motor driven. Black and white sony machine vision camera. A aixiz green line laser. I just have a few more things to set up and then try my first scans.

Laser.. $49.00
camera...$28.00 e-bay
video input card $9.00 e-bay japan.
WDM Driver for card free on the web.
other parts around shop FREE.

Not having to pay $2500.00 for a scanner that will do semi acurate scans for my needs.

PRICELESS!

[jakejones]

I set up the DAVID-laserscanner to test it out,all seems good but now i have a bunch of obj files and no way to make g code with them. Any 1 had any luck getting obj to g code.
thks jj

[Khalid]

look at the following link.. what i did with david.
www.my-woodcarving.blogsite.com

[jakejones]

I gota say very nice khakid . thats what i wud like to do with my cnc
not to get g code from obj and im there
jj

[Khalid]

Just look at
vectric Cut3D software..or convert the OBJ into STL and use MeshCAM...

[fergusda]

I used David-Scanner to get started with 3D scanning. It definitely takes more time to learn, and more fiddling, but it is very powerful. Sure, the NextEngine works right out of the box, but it has a limited range and a bigger price tag.

With David-Scanner you can scan tiny objects (<1/4") and large objects like a car with the same hardware. You can also swap out hardware, like cameras and lasers, and make improvements as your budget allows. It's the best way for a DIYer to get into 3D scanning.

The David-Scanner forum was a fantastic resource, and people all over the world were willing to share their projects. I paid for the full version, and while I don't often use it for 3D scanning (too slow for commercial application), I still use it regularly for 3D meshing and alignment. It is a very good tool for the price.

-Dan
Bluegalaxy Design
www.bluegalaxydesign.com

[GAWnCA]

look at the following link.. what i did with david.
www.my-woodcarving.blogsite.com

I am really interested in doing a couple of 3D scans but your link isn't working. I've got a good web cam and the horizontal laser. Just need to how to get started and then go from scan to machined.

[Cold Turkey]

G'day all, I'm just about to get started with using David. I have a cheapo laser and camera so I know I'm going to get fairly average results but I just need the practice and to see how it works for the moment.

I REALLY want to be able to do accurate scans in the very near future but seem to be having trouble finding a place to buy a high quality laser with a thin line. Any suggestions? I'm also after a really good camera if anyone can recommend one. I don't mind paying a bit for them seeing as they are really the only two things I need.

I need to be ably to scan objects that are less than a cubic inch in size.

Cheers for any and all help.

[genestapp]

I had really good luck with the Logitech 9000 camera at 1600x1200 and I'm using a green line laser. I'll have to see if I can get the details from the purchase as I don't remember. Very accurate results for me and I've been using it for about 8 months.

[Khalid]

The links are:
My Woodwork
Laser Scanning

[slowlearner]

I really need to learn how to use this system. In order to prove it out I will have to do it on a budget. Could one of you tell me what would be the cheapest hardware to gain average results and then what would need to be added cost-wise to improve quality?
Thanks in advance,
Scott

[cjjonesarmory]

I tried using a 5mw line laser and a $60 web cam. There were many errors in the creation of the 3D model, but that was just my first try. The 5mw laser used a low quality focusing system and the laser line was not very well defined.

I ordered a 100mw laser with (supposedly) high quality focusing, but it has not yet arrived. I'll see how that works with my standard web cam, but I expect that I will not get great results until I use a high quality camera.

I have a hand-held Canon HD camera that I would like to try to use, but I haven't quite figured out how to get live camera data into the software. I tried using an S-Video camera output feeding into the input on my video card, but I think the video card wasn't designed for the wide format as I can't seem to get the right screen ratio. My next idea is to get some kind of USB type device that is typically used to record real-time video from a video source. Hopefully the 100mw laser will not be too bright and damage the camera. I'm somewhat concerned about hitting a highly reflective surface on the part and damaging the camera, but for the cost of a cheap web cam, it's worth a try.