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Digital Replicas of the Real World in Stereoscopic 3D:

Laser scanning is not new, and for that matter, neither is stereoscopic 3D. It’s been the domain of Oil and Gas exploration, data visualization, Geological and other surveys and in Medicine for a long time. But it’s time to shine has only recently come with price of hardware and technology in general becoming more accessible and affordable to everyone.

Quite a few Hollywood productions have already used Laser Scanning in blockbusters (mainly 2D films). Laser scanned ‘digital assets’ are in-valuable in VFX work.

However with stereoscopic 3D movie-making gaining a strong foothold, it is our belief at the Stereo 3D Lab, that laser scanners are going to become a part of staple kit that goes out with previz crews, and even during production.

I invited FARO lasers to give us a demonstration of their new FARO FOCUS 3D scanner. The lure of this scanner for me is that it fits in a backpack and has a simple, easy to use touch screen interface to operate. It even records all those millions of points (that form the point cloud) directly onto SD cards. This is perfect for today’s generation of film makers and technicians who are used to finger flicking their way through a GUI a la i-phone style.

The image above is a complete scan of our 3D LAB, done in under 10 minutes from two scan locations, complete with an (upto) 70 mega pixel color photo overlay from the unit.

To drive the point home… This is a complete scan that is accurate to a few millimeters (it can go to higher accuracy if needed) that can be used as a digital record of this brick and mortar structure.

The video below shows the quality of scanning …

Others are already reading this… in the Book, “THINK in 3D” via Amazon in Paperback & e-book (on iPad via free kindle app)