NXT based 3D scanner

[Philippe Hurbain]

<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan1-v.jpg>>

As a LDraw parts author, I am always interested to find new ways to model LEGO
parts. Many parts have a clear geometric structure and are relatively easy to
create, but parts like minifig animals or wigs have no defined geometric shape
and are very difficult to model. I toyed for a while with the idea of a 3D
scanner... The solution came with 2008 LEGO Technic sets that include a new
part, the linear actuator. Coupled with the high resolution of NXT encoder, I
had all the elements to build a 3D scanner, precise enough for my purpose.

You'll find [<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm here>] photos, videos,
LDraw files and a little tutorial on the way to turn the scans into shapes
suitable for LDraw parts creation.

Enjoy!

<http://philohome.com/ Philo>

[Claude Baumann]

In lugnet.announce, Philippe Hurbain wrote:

> <http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan1-v.jpg>>
>
> As a LDraw parts author, I am always interested to find new ways to model
> LEGO parts. Many parts have a clear geometric structure and are relatively
> easy to create, but parts like minifig animals or wigs have no defined
> geometric shape and are very difficult to model. I toyed for a while with the
> idea of a 3D scanner... The solution came with 2008 LEGO Technic sets that
> include a new part, the linear actuator. Coupled with the high resolution of
> NXT encoder, I had all the elements to build a 3D scanner, precise enough for
> my purpose.
>
> You'll find [<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm here>] photos, videos,
> LDraw files and a little tutorial on the way to turn the scans into shapes
> suitable for LDraw parts creation.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> <http://philohome.com/ Philo>

WOWWWW !!! Category "best NXT-robots"! Congrates!!!

[Anders Isaksson]

Philippe Hurbain wrote:

> [...] I had all the elements to build a 3D scanner

Fantastic work Philo!

I'm so envious. I work daily with 3D coordinate measuring machines (CMM) of
all kinds (http://www.hexagonmetrology.com/se), and my secret dream for many
years has been to build one with LEGO. I've never managed to construct a
reliable probe, though - it has to react in 3 dimensions, not just one like
yours. But your machine is a giant step on the way to a LEGO CMM - actually,
it's more or less exactly constructed like a 'roundness checker'.

Oh, how I wish I had all the parts to build your scanner! But I'm trundling
along with the old Dacta interface 70909 and a programming environment of my
own (http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/dacta/) and I *will* get it to work
some day :-) There are more than enough inputs and outputs, it's just the
sampling rate that's a bit low.

I will take a good look at your probe solution, and try to get new ideas
from it.

Once again: Fantastic work!

--
Anders Isaksson, Sweden
BlockCAD:  http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm
Gallery:   http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/gallery/index.htm

[Jim DeVona]

In lugnet.announce, Philippe Hurbain wrote:

> You'll find [<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm here>] photos, videos,
> LDraw files and a little tutorial on the way to turn the scans into shapes
> suitable for LDraw parts creation.

That is a remarkable creation. It seems very useful. Great work.

Jim

[Santeri Piippo]

In lugnet.announce, Philippe Hurbain wrote:
> You'll find [<http://philohome.com/scan3d/scan3d.htm here>] photos, videos,
> LDraw files and a little tutorial on the way to turn the scans into shapes
> suitable for LDraw parts creation.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> <http://philohome.com/ Philo>

That's just outright awesome.. I don't know what else to write in this post!
Word-awaytaking work.

[Jordan Bradford-2]

It's very impressive that you pulled off a reasonably-precise 3D scanner using
LEGO. Don't worry about its speed: all touch/contact scanners are slow. :)

[Jaco van der Molen]

Stunning! Don't know what else to say.
Please do the owl next http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/40232
That would be so nice.
Jaco

[Philippe Hurbain]

Thanks everybody, be sure that when I got my first frog LDraw model out of it I
was enthusiastic too!

> Please do the owl next http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/40232
That's something I'll do if/when I write the software for the cylindrical scan.
But I am a bit afraid that the wings patterns will not be recognisable after the
scan...

Philo

[Eric Sophie]

Philo! What a great tool to help your parts authoring. Not only is this creation
fantastic, rare and unique, but some of your technical descriptions leave me
reaching for my coffee and asprin! Amazing!

I love the part of the video where you pan over and can see the operation
happening real time on your computer. Just knowing that a Lego Creation is on
the other end providing the data flow is astounding.

I often wonder what goes through your head!

You have provided so much inspiration and help in providing tools to so many
people over the years. I am very proud to be clicking bricks some where on this
world with you. Are you really from Earth!? Or is my coffee not strong enough?

I am making an NXT Quad, and I feel like I should ship it to you, so you can
bring it to life.

:)

Again, love the work you did here. Build on!

Eric Sophie

[Philippe Hurbain]

Hi Eric,
> fantastic, rare and unique, but some of your technical descriptions leave me
> reaching for my coffee and asprin! Amazing!

Sorry for the aspirin, that was not intended ;o)
>
> Again, love the work you did here. Build on!

Thanks! And yes, I am from Earth...

Philo