Creating at Cline Library

The NextEngine 3D Scanner is a professional desktop scanner with rotating stand that is ideal for scanning smaller detailed items like models, antiques, or artifacts. This scanner uses the ScanStudio software to capture the color and texture of an object up to 0.012 mm resolution. The NextEngine 3D scanner is available for in-library use on a first-come, first-served basis.

• NAU/CCC Affiliates and Public
• In-Library Use Only
• Number available: 1

This How to Guide will show you how to:

• Prepare your Object
• Prepare the Scanner
• Run a Single Scan
• Run a 360° Scan
• Run a Bracket Scan
• Process your Scan Family
• Align your Scan Family
• Trim Unwanted Geometry
• Fill Holes in the Geometry
• Fuse your Scans
• Export your Scan

Or you can download the complete NextEngine User Guides at the bottom of this box.

Preparing your Object

• If your object is transparent, reflective, or very dark, you may need to use talc or opaque hairspary to increase scanner accuracy.
• Make sure that any movable parts on your object are made immobile, or their positions marked so they can be returned to their proper location.
• You may also wish to make alignment marks using the alignment pen. These marks will make it easier to place pins and identify locations on the object.
• Place your object in the center of the scanner turntable (AutoDrive). There are various attachments for mounting more delicate objects onto the turntable (PartGripper).
• Use a ruler ensure that the center of the turntable is 17" from the front of the scanner for a normal scan, or 11" for a closeup scan.
• You can also setup the black poster board provided to act as a black background behind your object.

Preparing the Scanner

• Log-in to the MakerLab scanning computer and open the ScanStudio software.
• The blue gear icon at the top of the scanner should light up. If it does not, check the scanner's connections.
• Ensure that the scanner power and USB cables are plugged in at the back of the scanner, and the turntable is connected at the front of the scanner.
• ScanStudio should report that “Your Scanner is Ready,” and the scan button at the top left should be green.
• To use the software environment:
  • 3D geometry is shown in the main window.
  • A variety of scanning tools are accessed using the top toolbar, which also shows the status of the program.
  • The bottom pane is a library of scans in the current file.
• Click the triangular "Scan" button in the main toolbar to enter the scan window. The scanner will brightly illuminate the object for setting up.
• On screen you will see a live video image from the camera in the scanner. Watch this and manually adjust the position of the scanner so that the object is in the center of the on screen preview.
• Do not worry if your object does not fit in the preview at the appropriate distance - you can scan different parts of the object and align them together later.

Running a Single Scan

In most situations you won't be able to capture an entire object with just one scan. Instead, you can scan the object multiple times in different axes. Sometimes this process will be automatic, and sometimes you’ll have to reposition the object and then scan it again. The NextEngine supports three kinds of scanning: 360 scans, bracket scans, and single scans.  A single scan is a single pass of the laser over the object.  A 360° scan will automatically scan the object through all 360° of travel of the turntable's drive. To perform a single scan:

• Click the green "Scan" icon in the ScanStudio main toolbar.
• A new scan panel will be loaded. Set your scan name in the yellow "Model" field.
• At the top of the scan panel, select "Single Scan."
• Choose a "Points/in" to set the scan resolution:
  • Quick scans are low resolution and may be very crude.
  • SD and HD scans are recommended for most objects.
  • At the bottom of the page you will see the estimated time that the scan will take.
• Set the target for neutral, dark, or light objects.
• Set the range for your object, either macro for small objects or wide for larger objects.
  • Be sure than the object is contained and centered within the scan preview window. 
• Click the green "Start" arrow in the top toolbar to begin your scan.
• The scanner will illuminate the object, taking a photo first, then scan a laser array over the object. 
• Once the scan is finished, a thumbnail of the scanned surface should appear at the bottom left of the screen. This is what is called a scan 'family'. A full view may also appear in the main window. If not, click on the thumbnail to view the scan.
• To manipulate the completed scan:
  • Left click and drag to rotate the scan.
  • Right click and drag up and down to zoom in and out.
  • Click both left and right buttons and drag to pan.

Running a 360° or Bracket Scan

A 360° scan will automatically scan the object through all 360° of travel of the turntable's drive. To perform a 360 scan:

• Click the green "Scan" icon in the ScanStudio main toolbar.
• A new scan panel will be loaded. Set your scan name in the yellow "Model" field.
• At the top of the scan panel, select "360° Scan" or "Bracket Scan."
• Set the number of divisions for your scan:
  • We recommend 12 divisions, which translate to 30 degrees between each scan (360/12=30).
• Choose a "Points/in" to set the scan resolution:
  • Quick scans are low resolution and may be very crude.
  • SD and HD scans are recommended for most objects.
  • At the bottom of the page you will see the estimated time that the scan will take.
• Set the target for neutral, dark, or light objects.
• Set the range for your object, either macro for small objects or wide for larger objects.
  • Be sure than the object is contained and centered within the scan preview window. 
  • You should also ensure that the object is viewable from all angles using the rotation arrows in the toolbar.
• If necessary, select a zoom area. Do so by using your mouse draw a box around the area of interest in the preview window.
• Add markers on your object if necessary:
  • If you are planning on making multiple scans, such as to piece together an object too large to fit in one scan, you will need to add some markers to aid in reconstruction. 
  • Three markers are required for every section to be matched up.
  • Attach the markers to your object and ensure they will always be visible to the scanner as the object rotates.
• Click the green "Start" arrow in the top toolbar to begin your scan.
• A full 360 or bracket scan will likely take 30-60 minutes to complete. 
• Once the scan is finished, a thumbnail of the scanned surface should appear at the bottom left of the screen. This is what is called a scan 'family'. A full view may also appear in the main window. If not, click on the thumbnail to view the scan.
• Repeat as necessary for large or complex objects. Your aim should be to have all parts of the object represented between all your scan families. Remember that you will need markers to align these scans later.
• To manipulate the completed scan:
  • Left click and drag to rotate the scan.
  • Right click and drag up and down to zoom in and out.
  • Click both left and right buttons and drag to pan.

Processing your Scan Family

In the ScanStudio software, a "scan family" is the name given to the results of a scan operation and are listed in the library at the bottom of the screen. "Attaching" indicates to the software the scan families that you would like to use in building the final mesh of your scanned object.

• Scan families that are already attached are given green background in the scan library at the bottom of the screen. The software automatically attached the first scan family you made. You can detach this scan family by right clicking its thumbnail in the scan library and choosing "Detach" from the context menu.  
• Right click the thumbnail of your recent scan family in the scan library and choose "Attach" from the context menu. Scans are labelled alphabetically, so your most recent scan family will always be the one with latest letter alphabetically.
• Bracket or 360 scans are made up of a series of single scans. You can view these individual scans by double clicking the scan family in the library. The library then shows the individual scans.
• You can view each in detail in the main window by selecting individual scans in the library.
• You can also attach and detach individual scans in the same way that you did with scan families.
• Click the return arrow in the scan library to go back to the top level.

Aligning your Scan Family

If you have made multiple scan families, such as when scanning a large object in sections, you will need to align these scan families.

• Select the scan family to align (bottom bar) and click "Align" in the main toolbar.
• Two geometry view windows are now visible. The left side shows you the collection of scans/families that are already aligned. The right side shows you the next scan that you are aligning to that collection.
• If you have not already done so, attach one of your scan families. The software will help you align an unattached scan family with the attached ones.
• Select the scan to align from the right geometry window (blue). 
• Use the yellow, red, and blue dots from the top right to mark corresponding spots on each scan.
• As you drop a dot the view will zoom in. You can then move it again for finer placement.
• When all dots are in corresponding places, click "Align" in the main toolbar.
• When the alignment is complete, click "Back" in the main toolbar.

Trimming Unwanted Geometry

The NextEngine scanner will likely pick up some unwanted geometry, such as the hardware restraining your object. You trim this geometry:

• Click "Trim" in the main toolbar.
• Select the areas of mesh you wish to trim. You can do this using the tools in the main toolbar:
  • Square/circle brush - use these to draw over the geometry to be trimmed.
  • Draw rectangle - use this to draw a rectangle over the areas to be trimmed.
  • Draw polygon - use this to draw a polygon over the areas to be trimmed.
  • All - select all geometry in the scan.
  • +/- - add to or subtract from the selection.
• Continue selecting until all unwanted areas are highlighted.
• Click "Trim" in the main toolbar to delete the selected geometry.
• Repeat this process as necessary until all unwanted areas are removed.
• Click "Back" when you are finished trimming.

Filling Holes in the Geometry

• Select "Polish" from the main toolbar, then click 'Fill."
• The software scans the mesh looking for holes, and highlights them.
• You can then select which ones you would like to fill by using the brush tools (as for trimming).
• Once you have selected the holes you wish to fill, select "Fill."
• The software will attempt fill in the mesh at the holes, with varying success.
• When complete, click "Back" in the main toolbar.

Fusing your Scans

• Click "Fuse" in the main toolbar of ScanStudio.
• Click "Settings" to manage the fuse:
  • Be sure to select "Create water-tight model."
  • Set resolution to 0.9 all other default settings are fine.
• Click "Fuse."

Exporting your Scan

The NextEngine ScanStudio software can export 3D geometry files for 3D printing or editing using CAD programs. To export your scan:

• Click "Output" in the main toolbar of ScanStudio.
• Select "STL" or "OBJ" to save to those filetypes. STL is the more common, however OBJ is often more detailed. 
• A save dialog box will open where you can choose a name and location for the exported file. Be sure to check the box to export only your green attached mesh, otherwise Scan Studio will export all meshes superimposed on top of each other. 
• Save your NextEngine scan file (.scn) before closing, in case you need to come back to it.

The following tutorial videos will show you how to:

• Scan a simple model (1)
• Select scan settings (1)
• Trim your scans (2)
• Align your scans (2)
• Fuse your scans (2)
• Export your scan (2)

Click on any of the video icons below to begin the selected tutorial.