3D Scanning a Nike Trainer Shoe

A footwear marketing project for Nike

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project

What's important when 3D scanning products such as fashion footwear?

We 3D scan objects across all sectors. When we are working in fashion we know capturing all the colours, textures and natural idiosyncracies of the product is so important.

The 3D scanner captures colour data brilliantly and this is part of the story, however often for projects requiring increased detail and information we have to go a stage further - into macro photography.

Macro photo's (see images) give us the ability to understand the knap, texture and make-up of fabrics and materials in almost microscopic detail. By seeing how they are constructed and fabricated we can create textures in greater detail than any 3D scanner can capture. This helps us deliver for our clients at a superior level.

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Macro Photography

The 3D scanning and subsequent cleanup of the scan data is only the start. We take the 3D file of the footwear and polygroup then retopologise the mesh so the textures will read correctly. Again the quality of the retopology is scaleable depending on the final use.

This means we can suit all budgets, creating the level of detail to suit. Ultimately we begin discussions with clients based on a start-point of macro-quality and scale back from there to suit their needs.

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Macro Photography

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Raw Scan Data

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Retopology

Creating decent topology for each polygroup is the foundation of good texturing. Again we look at parts of the shoe that will be shown more, or have more time under scrutiny of the camera (for example the top / front instead of the sole / rear). In this example for Nike the entire shoe needed a fairly comprehensive level of detail all over. Including the interior and insole.

The interior and insole needed an added amount of rebuilding in the design software as the 3D scanner cannot capture deep inside holes. Our design capabilities are put to work in this instance and we combine with the macro photography to ensure the detail carries through.

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Texture Progress

As we finalise the stitching and textures we cleanup the colours and materials ready to export to maps.

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Final Model

The final 3D model of the Nike footwear is complete, with mesh and maps ready to export and send to our client's animation dept.

With all 3D scanning projects, there are a thousand ways to skin a cat. Technology and processes change all the time and we find it is our desire to deliver above and beyond what our client needs that distinguishes a successful project from a failure. Thus we put technology to one side and simply focus on delivering in an awesome way every time!

See the full CASE STUDY here
If you'd like to find out more or talk to us about a project please email your brief.

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Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Final Model