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      • 3D Scanning: Nike footwear project
      • 3D Scanning : Head Scan for Sculpture
      • 3D Scanning: British Ceramics
      • 3D Scanning : Batman Master Model
      • 3D Scanning: Heritage & Restoration: Neolithic Flint Axe Head
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer Alloy Wheels for Website Product Spinner
      • 3D Scanning: BBC And Then There Were None
      • 3D Scanning : Head Scan for a Mask Prototype Model
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer an Antique Car Light Cover
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer an Antique Car Indicator Cover
      • 3D Scanning: Doll's head for CAD development
      • 3D Scanning: Motorbike Visor for CAD development
      • 3D Scanning: 3D scan a frog sculpture for 3D printing
      • 3D Scanning: Industrial Casing for CAD development
    • Sculpture & SuperHuge 3D Printing >
      • Sculpture: Polar Bear Cub
      • Sculpture: Whale Tail 6.5m
      • Sculpture: 3M tall Skulls for an exhibition in London
      • Sculpture: 1.5m Lion Sculpture for London Cocktail Week
      • Sculpture: 1.5m Giant hand, holding screen
      • Sculpture: Giant Trilobite
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The Chinchilla3d blog

3D Scanning a Nike Trainer Shoe

1/3/2021

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A footwear marketing project for Nike

Nike footwear 3D Scan Project
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
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 - Macro Photography
Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Raw Scan Data
Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Raw Scan Data
Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Retopology
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
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
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.

#sculpture #3dscanning #3dmodeling #footwear #nike #trainer #shoe #texture #retopology #zbrush
Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Final Model
Nike footwear 3D Scan Project - Final Model
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3D Scanning Batman

5/11/2019

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There are times when a project comes along that is too good to miss, and when I was asked to scan the original concept sculptures of the Batman cowl from Tim Burton's original 1989 film I was more than happy to get involved.
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Batsuit sculpted by Vin Burnham with Alli Eynon. Batman image courtesy of Warner Bros.
Vin Burnham (in association with Alli Eynon) forged a new path for super-hero costume with the sculpting of the original 1989 Batman costume (under supervision of Costume Designer Bob Ringwood). At the time I was eighteen and knew the significance of the suit even then. I knew history was being made, and it is testimony to Tim Burton's desire to create such a visual spectacle, and Vin's ability to bring something so special into being that changed the movie world forever. Not just the technical aspects of the suit's creation but from a wider perspective it became uber-cool for actors to take on super hero roles.
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Both busts ready for 3D scanning
The amazing Jose Fernadez of Ironead Studios is using the 3D scans to create replica suits, and 3D scanning is the perfect way to accurately bring all the detail and idiosyncracies of the original sculptures into the digital realm to subsequently work from.

The two sculptures were originally created as 'concept' and 'final' busts, to give Tim Burton something tangible to sign off, so the costume could go into full production.

Both busts are cast plaster from a waste-mould, made in production 30 years back. A waste-mould is a mould used for one cast only, so these casts are one-offs, made from Vin's clay sculptures (the clay versions destroyed as part of the moulding process). The bottom line is, if something happens to these sculptures, without 3D scans there is no accurate 3 dimensional archive by which to refer or even 3D print copies.

From a practical standpoint, plaster is a great material for 3D scanning as there is no reflection or light bouncing off the surface which can affect the 3D scanning process.
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3D scanning the sculptures
The Creaform Go!Scan 20 I used is a portable white light scanner, capturing highly detailed scans with high point accuracy. I needed to put some targets (little dots) on for the scanner to lock onto the surface and ease the scanning. It scanned really well, capturing even the little imperfections such as the broken tips of the ears.
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© Chinchilla Limited
Post-processing the scan was relatively simple, filling some holes, repairing the ear tips and any little dinks and dents from 30 years of life (we all have a few of them!). The final files looked great - watertight mesh ready for further digital transformations...
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Now the sculptures are immortalised digitally ready for another 30 years of storage! The sculptor in me wants to take inspiration from the files and create a retro, concept cowl for fun, as a homage to what was a fantastic turning point in movie history.

More info:
• 1989 Batman movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(1989_film)
• Vin Burnham: http://vinburnham.com/
• Alli Eynon: http://allieynon.com/
• Jose Fenandez: https://ironheadstudio.com
• Bob Ringwood: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727674/

#sculpture #3dscanning #3dmodeling #batman #creaform #batmanmovie
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How To Make A Polar Bear Cub

3/6/2019

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Created for Plymouth's #polarbearexplorers event, the desire was for us to create a realistic but "kind of cute" Polar bear cub and then make 20x duplicates. Join Greg Lawrence as he describes the process and pain of creating a lifesize sculpture of the world's cutest mammal!
Stage1 - Research
I wanted to design the cub with a keen yet vulnerable look, so I set to researching Polar bears and cubs. I immersed myself in the look and feel of the little mammals, watching them walk, run, roll around, sniff the air...it all helped gain a really good feel for how I may bring some of the expression out in the sculpture.
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Stage2 - Digital sculpture
Creating sculptures digitally in my view is the most efficient, expressive way. It gives me a chance to try multiple poses, shapes and anatomical variations in a way that is simply not practical with real clay or modelling materials. I have a mad passion for digital sculpture and founded the Freelance 3D Modeling group on Linked In as a result of my passion and to join virtual hands with sculptors the world over.

You can see below the cub went through various stages from early blockout through refinement and finally I found the form I was looking for. It was a really painful process, trying to create a kind of light, fluffy look to something which will effectively be a solid.

I gave the digital sculpture a little paint so I could be sure I would be able to find the right look with the real finished model.
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Stage 3 - 3D Printing the Cub
Taking the digital file and creating a 3D print is the simpler part of the process for an object that is only 600mm tall. The body was created using SuperHuge 3D printing, which is made for objects 1m up to unlimited size, so this was on the smaller side of things. The face was 3D printed in ABS and fixed to the polystyrene before cleanup ready for moulding.
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Stage 4 - Moulding & Casting a Polar Bear Army
I created a silicone jacket mould - a soft rubbery jacket with a hard casing - so the cubs could be spray-cast in resin. This is a really cost-effective way of quickly making a short run of casts. Each cast came out, and was cleaned up and primed white ready for painting.
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Stage 5 - Painting: Bringing the Cubs to Life
This was a fantastic challenge. We all have preconceptions that Polar bears are white - yet in fact there is a marvellous depth of colour to their fur. Additionally the colour is affected by two other factors: light and dirt. The quality of light and time of day affect the colour of the fur dramatically as each strand of fur holds and absorbs the light rays. For example at sunset the fur takes on a glowing, deep, creamy colour. Yet in a blizzard the fur is a flatter, whiter colour. Our cubs would be in shops on the harbour front in Plymouth, so also had to look natural in their retail environment.  Dirt was the second factor, and often the fur is grubby around the feet and belly area. Reds and browns, clay-like from the natural habitat (when not on snow and ice) give a realistic quality. I took all these factors on board and decided to go for a clean, warmish design. Not too grubby.
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When it came to painting the face, I worked really hard to paint and airbrush an inquisitive, alert look. I spent hours looking at Polar bear eyes, desperate to understand how and why they looked vulnerable in one image, yet happy in another. Finally I reached a look I was happy with.

...and Finally
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The Final Sculptures Launched at the National Marine Aquarium
Airbrushed to look consistent across each cub. I was pleased to have achieved a soft, fluffy look with a vulnerable yet inquisitive feel.

#polarbearexplorers #sculpture #3dprinting #3dmodelling

Watch the YouTube Timelapse Video
Timelapse showing the painting and airbrushing of the little army...
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Launching the Freelance 3D Modeling Group

6/16/2018

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We are proud to announce as of 15th June 2018 we have launched the FREELANCE 3D MODELING GROUP on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8679019

Our aim is to build a global group of talented 3D modelers from student to professional. For collaboration, inspiration, support, competitions and job offers.

If you are serious about your 3D modeling career, get involved and be part of a global community of like-minded people. Inspire people with your work, share tips, ask for help, enter competitions and receive job offers.

Any questions, you can contact the group owner Greg Lawrence at greg.lawrence@chinchilla3d.com www.chinchilla3d.com or Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/greglawrence12/

Joining Guidelines
Access to the group will be strictly monitored. You can join if you are a 3D modeler / designer. This includes texture artists for example, or people who work either side of the 3D modeling pipeline.

We will allow access to recruitment professionals as long as they post real jobs in the Jobs section with defined start dates etc - not blanket, catch all job ads.

We hope and expect a great synergy in the group, so please get posting and enjoy!!
Greg Lawrence

#3dmodelers #3dmodellers #3dmodeling #3dmodelling #3dartist #cgartist #3dgeneralist #hardsurfacemodeling #organicmodeling #sculpting #retopology #caddesign #3dcad #zbrush #mudbox #3dsmax #maya #marvelousdesigner #solidworks #alias


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6 reasons: When to choose 3D Scanning

6/1/2018

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3D scanning is a fast way to put a real-world object onto a computer in 3 dimensions. On the surface of things it seems easy, but the reality is a little more complex and knowing when to use 3D scanning is a skill in itself. The purpose of this article is to help you understand when it is good to make that call.

There are plenty of articles on how 3D scanners work and the different types of 3D scanners, and I really just wanted to tackle why and when you should choose 3D scanning over traditional CAD creation.

Ultimately the driving force behind a decision to choose 3D scanning is either because it's cheaper than the alternative, it's quicker or it simply cannot be matched by quality. The sweet spot for a customer is all three reasons. Let's get started:

1. The object has complex, compound, curved surfaces

A compound surface curves in more than one direction at one time. To better explain what a compound curve is, it is better to show what it isn't! See the cyclinder below - it curves along only one axis, or in one direction. This means if I can measure the diameter of the cylinder (D) I can create the straight sided cylinder with the curve (C) running along the same axis - and I can do this in computer software.

Basic geometry like this is quick in CAD software so the only time you generally would need to 3D scan a cylinder (or similarly simple geometry) is to check the quality and consistency as it comes off the production line at the manufacturing stage i.e. are there any deformities?

When a surface curves in more than one direction, unless it is a geometric shape like a sphere it becomes more complicated to recreate in software. Think of a car wing, a person's face or bicycle seat. They each have very complex shapes and curves and to try to recreate them accurately is almost impossible - certainly when comparing time and cost. This is where 3D scanning comes into its own.

2. If accuracy is important to you

Often clients wrestle with this one. It is difficult to know exactly how inaccurate the alternative process will be and it can be easy to persuade yourself that the alternative process will deliver what you need.

Let's go back to the wing mirror (see image below) and imagine it needs to be redesigned. You have the original, and you'd like to give it to your CAD designer to recreate the object in the CAD software. Will it be possible within a set time and budget? Can they match the accuracy of all the curves and edges? Will it fit the car?

With something as complex as a wing mirror the answer is no, and 3D scanning is the only choice in this situation. 3D Scanning with around +/-0.1mm will be more accurate than a person can measure and recreate in CAD - especially in any given timeframe.

The way to think about it is like this: The designer needs to be able to physically measure the curves of the real wing mirror and recreate them in the software. However there simply is no tool with the capability of doing this other than a 3D scanner. Additionally the beauty of a 3D scanner is that you not only gather curves and measurements but you can quickly gather data such as volume and surface area as well.

3. You want an exact mirror of an original part

We often have customers asking for 3D scanning of an antique car part - a door handle or similar feature, so it can be simply mirrored ready for production to fit to the other side of the car.

3D scanning in this situation avoids the only other option of trying to accurately copy an object with compound curves (as in 1&2 above) which needs to fit to an existing curved surface. Thus 3D scanning becomes a very economical way forward by comparison.
There is also the added benefit that the 3D file can be stored for future use for either left or right hand side, future-proofing the part.

You can see a case study of an indicator cover we 3D scanned for just this purpose here.
www.chinchilla3d.com indicator cover
3D Scan of an indicator cover we mirrored for the customer (including resetting the text).

4. You need to archive an original object (art or heritage)

If you need to archive an original object, there really is no sensible alternative to 3D scanning. Attempting to recreate it in CAD is only an interpretive copy. Whereas a 3D scan is an accurate 3-dimensional record of the object in question, including texture if necessary (texture being the colour information of the object).

What about making a mould? Yes making a silicone mould is an option however the downsides are too numerous to make it a viable solution - [1] potential damage to the original is a possibility, especially if the object is porous as the silicone is designed to get into every crevice. [2] It costs more to make good silicone moulds. [3] Moulds deteriorate over time whereas a 3D files do not. [4] It takes significantly longer to create silicone moulds. [5] Texture (colour information) can be captured with 3D scanning but not with mouldmaking. [6] The additional benefits of 3D scanning are amazing: The ability to use the 3D files in virtual reality / 3D warehouses online, to be able to 3D print educational copies, to investigate production processes or analyze attributes of the digital object without damaging the original.

Ultimately if the shape is complex there is no other way of capturing such a rich amount of information as quickly and effectively.

5. You want to capture the texture (colour information)

There is no quick substitute for this one. The 3D scanner captures the texture detail (ours up to 300dpi) at the time of the 3D scan so 3D scanning has an almighty head start over attempting to recreate the texture afterwards by hand in software. It is dependent on the object and level of detail though. If you wanted a relatively simple and forgiving object like a banana 3D scanned, the texture would be quite quick to recreate in computer software so it could be a similar time / cost to create the banana with texture from scratch in 3D software or 3D scan.

However a pineapple...no chance!

6. There is simply too much detail

Sometimes it just comes down to the amount of detail in the object. Take this rusty old shovel. It is a fairly complex shape to make and it has lots of surface detail. Even if you didn't need texturing it would be a close call to exactly recreate in the same timeframe as 3D scanning. However going back to no.2 above for a moment, if accuracy is not important it could be cheaper to build a close replica from scratch in the 3D software. Sometimes it is a really close call which way to go, and you should discuss with your chosen 3D scanning service.

6. You can't touch or work on the original object

Because 3D scanning is non-invasive and non-destructive, it can be used for the 3D scanning of fragile, ancient objects and art that cannot be allowed to be moulded or handled in any way. Again there is no alternative for the archiving or duplication of this type of object.
That's my list. Remember 3D scanning is not a magical solution to all data capture projects, but an important part of the process. Use the summary below to give you a head start when deciding whether 3D scanning is the right solution for you.

Quick Summary

1.  Does the object have complex, compound curves? If yes you should seriously consider 3D scanning
2.  How important is accuracy? If it is important to you, 3D scanning is the right choice.
3.  Do you want to mirror an existing part? If so 3D scanning is the way to go.
4.  Do you need to archive an original object or artifact? If yes there is only one answer: 3D scanning.
5.  Is capturing the colour information important to you? It is impossible to recreate any kind of complex colour information as quickly and economically as 3D scanning.
6.  Is the object extremely detailed? If so it will be much quicker to 3D scan than recreate from scratch in computer software.
7.  Is the object too fragile or valuable to risk getting damaged by a moulding process? If so 3D scanning is non-invasive and non-destructive and the only way to go.

This list is not exhaustive but should help give you a little direction. Always the best choice is to contact your chosen 3D scanning service to check whether 3D scanning is the best way forward for your project.
info@chinchilla3d.com  www.chinchilla3d.com
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    www.chinchilla3d.com greg lawrence

    Author

    Greg Lawrence
    MD - Chinchilla Limited

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COVID-19

We continue to work throughout the current pandemic and observe social distancing at all times.
3D SCANNING: You can send objects to us for 3D scanning, or we can collect.
SCULPTURE: We continue to design and build following government guidelines.
3D DESIGN: We continue to design remotely.

The Chinchilla logo, SuperHuge logo, C1 logo, C-LOCK logo and H-OLM logos are all trademarks of Chinchilla Limited. Patents pending.
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  • About
  • Services
    • 3D Scanning
    • 3D Design
    • Sculpture
    • SuperHuge 3D Printing
  • Case Studies
    • 3D Scanning >
      • 3D Scanning: Nike footwear project
      • 3D Scanning : Head Scan for Sculpture
      • 3D Scanning: British Ceramics
      • 3D Scanning : Batman Master Model
      • 3D Scanning: Heritage & Restoration: Neolithic Flint Axe Head
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer Alloy Wheels for Website Product Spinner
      • 3D Scanning: BBC And Then There Were None
      • 3D Scanning : Head Scan for a Mask Prototype Model
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer an Antique Car Light Cover
      • 3D Scanning: Reverse Engineer an Antique Car Indicator Cover
      • 3D Scanning: Doll's head for CAD development
      • 3D Scanning: Motorbike Visor for CAD development
      • 3D Scanning: 3D scan a frog sculpture for 3D printing
      • 3D Scanning: Industrial Casing for CAD development
    • Sculpture & SuperHuge 3D Printing >
      • Sculpture: Polar Bear Cub
      • Sculpture: Whale Tail 6.5m
      • Sculpture: 3M tall Skulls for an exhibition in London
      • Sculpture: 1.5m Lion Sculpture for London Cocktail Week
      • Sculpture: 1.5m Giant hand, holding screen
      • Sculpture: Giant Trilobite
    • Custom 3D Modelling
  • Contact
    • Contact 3D Scanning
    • Contact Superhuge 3D Print
  • Blog 3D
  • Recruitment