3D Scanning:
Nike Drifter Shoe

Case Study

Nike trainer shoe for 3D scanning

3D scanning a trainer shoe for use in digital animation

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It's really important we understand exactly how the shoe is being animated. It greatly affects how much detail we include in the final object and in this case the client requested the Nike footwear to have a high level of detail, colour data and texture maps.

3D scan raw data of Nike trainer shoe

3D Scanning

3D scan Nike Trainer shoe

3D scan Nike trainer shoe sole

Sent to our London HQ for 3D scanning, the shoe scanned well including the inside and sole.

3D scanners are adept at capturing such complex shapes and surfaces, and what we're looking for is to achieve as much shape and character of the footwear as possible ready for the rebuilding process. We never scan the show with laces as it is much cleaner and more efficient to add laces as separate objects at a later stage.

Rebuilding the Nike Trainer Shoe

From 3D scan to the final rebuilt Nike trainer shoe ready for texturing

Rebuilding the footwear model using the 3D scanned mesh gives us the character of the original shoe including the idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of the materials it is constructed, including stitching.
Once rebuilt we add the laces using photographic reference to maintain the character of the lace material. How they bend and buckle is so important.

The Rebuilt Nike 3D Scanned Shoe

Retopologised and polygrouped ready for texturing. Note the completed laces.

Nike trainer shoe retopologised

Nike shoe retopologised - sole

Texturing - High Quality Reference

In order to create the required standard we needed to dial up the detail. The 3D scanner picks up a certain amount but with the ability to create almost infinite depth and detail there is great value in going further. We took macro photos of all areas and materials of the shoe so we could recreate the textures on the mesh.

Nike trainer shoe close up

Nike trainer shoe close up

Texturing - Progress

As the textures started to come together, the diffuse colour data captured by the scanner was cleaned and enhanced, with sharp logos and details added.

Nike trainer shoe texture progress

Nike trainer shoe texture progress

Finished - Nike 3D Scanned Shoe

3D scanned  |  cleaned up  |  rebuilt objects  |  retopped  |  polygrouped  |  textured  |  painted  |  maps

Nike trainer shoe from 3D scan to finished 3D model

Nike trainer shoe from 3D scan to finished 3D model - side view

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