3D scanning creates 3D mesh data from real world objects or environments. Applications include animation, archiving, medical research, rapid prototyping, industrial design and quality control inspection.
From 360 degree scans of a human head to detailed scans of a delicate sculpture, assets for game creation, or inspection of engineered parts, our scanning team can help you find the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions about 3D Scanning
What is 3D scanning?
3D scanning is a method of digitalising physical objects to create 3-dimensional geometry (CAD). There are various scanning technologies used to achieve this, the main two being white light and laser.
What are its applications?
We are working with industries including games, reverse engineering, heritage, the arts, industrial design, architectural surveying and film-making. 3D scan data can be post-processed by Inition to provide assets for real-time graphics (e.g. character animation or augmented reality), high-detail CGi/VFX work or for 3D printing, to name just a few of the many possibilities.
Are there any limitations?
With the right approach, 3D scanners can capture almost anything you put in front of them large or small; however there are some limitations including very shiny and very dark objects. There are normally workarounds for these types of objects.
How long does it take?
We operate some of the fastest 3D scanners on the market and pride ourselves on quick turnaround times, drawing on our many years of expertise to work out the right approach and workflow for your project. Each scan is different and requires varying amounts of post-processing work, however most scans are turned around in days, rather than weeks.
How much does it cost?
We charge based on the time it takes to scan and post process a project and on the delivery specification. The best way for us to calculate a price is for you to email us images of your proposed scanning subject along with your final CAD model requirements.
What's the next step?
To receive a quotation or discuss the best solution please call on +44 207 377 2949. Alternatively, email us your requirements and multiple high-res images of your proposed scan subject to inition@inition.co.uk or for files over 10Mb use our DropBox. If possible, please also state your deadline.
Mephisto 3D Scanning Engine
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Artec 3D Scanner Range
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Future of 3D: #1 - Scan, Print, Explode!
For our first 'Future of 3D' project we decided to have some 3D fun with Shannon's head to celebrate our 10th Birthday and the launch of our 'Future of 3D' series.
This project combined a wide range of our skills and 3D technologies. But mainly we enjoyed it because it involved blowing stuff up! If you're interested in finding out more, make sure you watch the video above.
Some of the kit we used: ZPrinter 450, Mephisto EX Scanner, Phantom/Quasar 3D Stereoscopic Filming Rig
We'd like to point out that no Shannons were harmed in this project, although strangely enough he had a slight headache afterwards. Check out our Future of 3D blog at fo3d.posterous.com for our latest experiments.
About our 'Future of 3D' series
The 'Future of 3D' series is about exploring the boundaries of future 3D technology through non-commercial creative projects. Supporting this type of work is core to Inition's core values of developing new uses of 3D technology, supporting creativity and nurturing the passion of it's staff and collaborators. If you have an idea for a 'Future of 3D' project, we'd love to hear from you.
Remote Avatar: Gadget Show Virtual Pesenter Challenge
When the producers of North One Television approached 3D creative services company Inition to provide the technical expertise for an ambitious 'virtual presenter' challenge, LILA was an obvious solution.
LILA is a portable motion capture solution which was used to capture the motion of The Gadget Show presenter Suzi Perry in London and transmit that captured data to drive an avatar of Suzi who was composited in The Gadget Show studios, all in real time.
Marker-less Motion Capture
Based on real-time 3D animation software Autodesk MotionBuilder, LILA is Inition’s marker-less motion capture solution which can provide show stopping interactive installations for brands, exhibitions, tours and marketing agencies.
Without any calibration required, Suzi stepped into the holo-deck style cube at Inition’s London studios where her silhouette was tracked by 14 x 2D cameras. No markers or special clothing were required. The vision processor software calculated a 3D mesh of her body from these views of which a digital skeleton was applied using the Organic Motion plugin.
The frame-by-frame motion co-ordinates from the data was then transmitted to the MotionBuilder system at North One Television studios in Birmingham via a special driver which then applied Suzi Perry’s features such as clothes, hair, skin tones etc in real time. The avatar of Suzi which was composited into the studios of The Gadget Show next to the real co-presenter Otis and an android version of Jason Bradbury who she was competing with.
Suzi’s avatar character included full face expressions and mouth shapes driven by Suzi's voice fed through LILA's voice recognition software.
The composited footage was sent back to Inition’s London studios via Skype which Suzi could monitor on a screen seeing exactly what the public would see.
A World First
This project posed several challenges, not least because of the processing power required to deliver the avatar in real time. This was the first time a motion capture system had been used to drive another avatar over the Internet.
The LILA motion capture is a complete attention grabbing solution which is available for events, promotions and exhibitions. As well as hire of the LILA system itself, Inition also provide a complete production service with the hardware, software, and creative design of the characters, environments and interactions.