Hi folks–
So, I picked up a used Kinect online just for grins to get a start on 3D scanning. I downloaded Skanect and played around. It’s fun to see the 3D objects but the free version exports so few faces that I’m not sure it’s terribly useful. I was wondering if it is possible to create a depth map like you would need for 3D laser engraving, using a Kinect on a Mac. If anyone knows of software or tutorials for this, I’d appreciate a link. Or if you know of any other software that would help me get more out of this camera.
speaking from no exp what so ever. If the Kinect driver exists on a mac and you create a 3d model of something scanned then you would Slice is with Autodesk 123 and then you can lasser those slices
So I just tried this out, but on Windows. The directions were pretty good (I downloaded the 64-bit .exe file). I went to the archive3d.net website and downloaded a .3DS model, but Meshlab was unable to open that file type so I just make a quick .STL in SolidWorks. Then opened fine in Meshlab and the rest of the directions were fine, other than step 5. I couldn’t figure out what the ‘form window’ was. Turns out it’s the window that pops up when you choose the depthmap shader! Once that was figured out I was all set on making the depth map.
In SolidWorks, you can take these displacement/depth maps and use them as textures on your parts which I was able to do with this process! This was a great video that described the process. Not sure what I’d do from there with it though but thought it was ‘neat’!
I tried it on the Mac with Meshlab, using one of their sample .obj files, and had no trouble getting a nice depth map. Now I just need a 3D-capable laser engraver to bring it to life!
if you still can get the resolution you want with the kinect, check out the structure scanner. I love the one I have at work. It’s not so good for smaller stuff though (3in or smaller). http://structure.io/
- Rich