We reviewed all the feedback from our customers and partners and have added some changes and features in new release of Artec Studio 9. These features will make the process of scanning and post-processing much faster and more convenient for you!

• Support for Artec Spider, a brand-new 3D scanner from Artec Group

Spider is the latest achievement  of Artec Group with high resolution and outstanding accuracy. Not to mention, Spider captures texture data!

Artec Studio 9.1 features a new algorithm of sharp fusion developed specially for Spider. More info about Artec Spider can be found here:

• New auto-align feature

You are now able align two or more scans automatically right during the scanning. The only thing you need is overlapping texture data of scans involved.

Quick walkthrough:

• Align tool improvements

Artec Studio 9.1 provides a new, improved align tool. It is now possible to align frames that haven't been correctly registered within one scan. No need to divide a scan into several parts anymore.

• Real-time fusion for Artec scanners

This feature used to be available only for Kinect. Now we are happy to say that real-time fusion feature is compatible with Artec scanners. It works best for scanning simple objects with no complicated post-processing required.

• Multi-Kinect support (Kinect-Xbox, ASUS Xtion, PrimeSense)

Artec Studio 9.1 now provides possibility to scan objects with up to four sensors simultaneously! Full-body scanning will take just few seconds.

• Annotation tool added

We have received lots of client requests asking to add this feature. We strive to improve user experience overall so we added this option in Artec Studio 9.1. The new tool enables to create annotations on model surface. Annotations can be edited and customized in various ways.

• Other features of Artec Studio 9.1:

- Improved hole-filling algorithm: geometry is reconstructed more precisely.

- Windows 8 support added

New release is available for all existing users of Artec Studio 9. 

When you purchase a scanner, you are provided with a certificate that vouches that this scanner was factory-tested and achieved, at least, 100 micron point accuracy, as is outlined under VDI/VDE 2634 guidelines.

What have we been up to?

Over the past several years, we have been working on improving the accuracy and repeatability of our hardware. In November of last year, we told you about our temperature adjustment algorithm (more on that further down). It significantly improved accuracy over time/distance, because the scanner data was no longer affected by internal temperatures of the scanner. We have also been working on improving factory calibration procedures, as well as perfecting mutual distortion correction of the camera and projector. 

The testing and the certificate.

Each certificate will show the results of testing for each particular scanner. The reference object (a plane with 5 semi-spheres) is scanned and the screenshots are provided in the certificate itself. You will be able to see that the error in one frame is within the allotted 0.1mm (2 Sigma). This test is performed at a distance of 600mm from the object.

Moreover, work has been done on improving some of the image filtration algorithms. This means that the semi-spheres are better identified and accurately displayed. Each certificate contains measurements between spheres and the radius of each sphere. Only scanners who show less than 0.16 mm error will pass QA (3 Sigma).  

More about temperature control (more geeky info) and the question of accuracy over distance

The fact that Eva comes with an on-board temperature gauge means that we can correct temperature fluctuations through software. Theoretically, and this is true for all scanners on the market, in order to get the most accurate results, you should scan while the internal temperature of the scanner is exactly as it was during factory calibration.

Think about this: just a five degree difference between internal temperature during calibration and while you scan, can cause the camera to shift by up to 30 microns. This, in turn, can lead to an error of up to 0.3mm in each frame. This means on a 1 meter object, you can accumulate a 1.5mm error!

Our goal was to eliminate this error. We don't want our customers to wait until the scanner heats up or cools down. We don't want you to think about this issue at all. Who really knows what the temperature is like inside that thing?

That's why we developed the temperature algorithm mentioned earlier. The software monitors the internal temperature and adjusts the results accordingly, so that the error is significantly reduced. We tested a batch of scanner and found that over one meter, the scanner accumulates no more than 0.3mm (1 Sigma). The reference object which we tested on, was first measured with the help of a CMM with claimed accuracy of 7 microns.

That's the story! Every scanner will come with a certificate of accuracy. You will be able to download it from your account at my.artec3d.com. If you want more info, definitely send us a note. We love hearing from you.

Bioshock Infinite, a game for multiple platforms which was released on 26th of March, 2013 was created by Irrational Games, a video game developing company based in the US. The creative director on the project is video game icon Ken Levine.

In many respects the game is exceptional. Its unique aesthetics, well tuned game play and well realized characters have brought Bioshock Infinite to be one of the highest rated video games of all time. BioShock Infinite takes you to an unusual time and setting, particular for this sequel. All the action happens in 1912, the time of American Exceptionalism when a utopian city of Columbia is built to represent the era’s main ideals. The game is a first-person shooter with Booker DeWitt as a main hero. He is hired by some mysterious people to get into the airborne city and rescue a young woman named Elizabeth, who has been locked in a tower within the city.

Despite the fact that the Bioshock Infinite is a first-person game, where Booker mainly performs all the action, Elizabeth, whose face you might see on giant billboards everywhere, is the female lead and the plot defining character. She is an immensely intelligent, highly emotional charming young lady that you can’t help but fal in love with. And it’s not only about her physical attractiveness (within certain limits of a video game heroine) but also about her highly elaborated character.

Creating Elizabeth was a multi-stage process, where Artec 3D scanner Eva was used to create the 3D model of Elizabeth for its high production value television commercial and marketing campaign. Anna Moleva, a Russian cosplayer who endowed Elizabeth with her appearance in this commercial, was asked to express different emotions with her face. Each expression was precisely scanned and post-processed. The whole process of scanning and processing took 1 hour and then the 3D data was engaged in creating an official commercial of the game.

Elizabeth’s emotional sensitivity, genuine gestures and phrases make you feel that she is a real human being that you have a connection with. Artec scanners were engaged in this wonderful process of ‘3D magic’. 

Artec will integrate AICON's ScanReference photogrammetry solution with Artec Eva and Spider 3D scanners. This will allow users to attain higher accuracy in their results which then can be used in such industrial spheres as quality assurance, mass production and metrology.

„We are pleased about the integration of our photogrammetric tools into Artec 3D scanners. Thanks to ScanReference, Artec will be able to address target groups with completely different needs“ says Dr. Carl-Thomas Schneider, Managing Director of AICON 3D Systems. 

Stay tuned for more info in the near future.

About AICON:

AICON 3D Systems is one of the world's leading providers of optical camera-based 3D measurement systems. The company, founded in 1990, develops and distributes systems for the business areas of inspection and testing including car safety and tube inspection. AICON's reference list boasts renowned automotive manufacturers and suppliers, companies from the aerospace industry, and the areas of shipbuilding and renewable energies. Its latest products for automated test and process control open new worldwide market fields and obtain outstanding growth. More information is available on AICON’s website www.aicon3d.com

About Artec Group:

ARTEC GROUP™ is a manufacturer of professional 3D hardware and software. With its offices in Luxembourg, the US and Russia, Artec Group is a market leader in 3D scanning and 3D facial recognition technology which is used by thousands of people all over the world.

For additional information, please visit www.artec3d.com

New 3D Scanner from Artec Group

Don't be scared! Be excited! The Spider is coming! We are proud to announce the unveiling of Artec "Spider" 3D Scanner at the Control show in Stuttgart, Germany (May 14-17, 2013).

Why is it called Artec Spider?

Because it has many cameras...."eyes"...like a real spider.

Why did we invent Artec Spider?

Artec has been very successful in selling the Eva scanner, our flagship product. It was originally designed for scanning the human body and other organic shapes for medicine, art and heritage preservation. It is also successfully used for industrial design and manufacturing where Eva is used to scan cars, boats, airplanes, etc. However, certain spheres of mass production and industrial design require higher-precision scanning of objects with sharp edges and intricate details. We realized that we needed to develop a scanner to fill that niche: the speed and ease-of-use of Eva, but with higher accuracy, resolution and the ability to digitize the most complex, industrial parts. That's how the Spider was born. You can easily digitize complex objects in minutes and import into a CAD system. This technology will make life easier for millions of CAD users around the world.

What's so great about it?

· High resolution (up to 0.15mm) and high accuracy (0.03 - 0.05mm)

· No markers or any manual alignment during post processing

· It's lightweight, handheld and has texture

· It sees sharp edges and thin walls

· It can work for hours with a battery

· It scans and fuses the model in real time

· Affordable 

Where can it be applied?

With high resolution, high accuracy and the ability to see sharp edges, Artec Spider is a perfect solution for rapid prototyping and manufacturing, as well as industries such as medicine, automotive, aerospace, quality control, heritage preservation and graphic design.

Stay tuned for more information.

Artec Spider is on its way! 

Winter Fun with Kinect/Eva contest has ended.

And we can't wait to share the results!

We had a '100 submissions minimum' rule to consider the contest valid but following the rules is always boring! Moreover, we appreciate efforts of the people that faced 'the challenge' and took their Kinects and Evas for winter fun.

Hao Li, the main judge and the coolest guy on Earth has made his choice.

Kinect entries

First place: Model: "Girl on skates"!

Second place: Model "Emily02" 

Third place: Model "Upside down snowman" 

Eva entries 

First place: Model "Winter house in Dreamland"

Second place: Model "SNOWBOARD2" 

Third place: Model "snow_man" 

10 runners-up will receive Artec Studio full version. We will contact those lucky guys.

Here's what Hao got to say about the contest "It's really amazing to see all these exciting and creative submissions, It clearly shows how much fun people had with 3D scanning! Like in photography, I believe that artistic contests involving 3D scanning will have an even important meaning in the future, especially when 3D printing will become more popular."

Thanks to all the creative folks that have sent their 3D scans to Viewshape.

It’s been a great ride!

Stay tuned for more fun with Artec. 

3D scanning and 3D printing are innovative technologies that complement each other and both were used in a project by Party, Inc.-- "Omote 3D Shashin Kan." The Artec MHT scanner allowed Party, a "creative lab" based in Tokyo and New York, to realize their idea of a pop-up photo booth. The photo booth was open for two months in “Eye of Gyre” Gallery in Tokyo, and produced 3D printed human miniatures. The miniatures, a “mini me” version of oneself, were made through a combination of Artec 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies.

Customers stood still while staff scanned their entire bodies with the Artec MHT scanner. The miniature figures were then printed in color on a 3D printer. The personal miniatures were available in different sizes from 10 to 20 cm tall and cost 21,000 to 42,000 yen.

'The idea came from the point where we started to think about what we could do using 3D scanners and 3D printers together,' says PARTY founder Masashi Kawamura, who was recently included in Fast Company's ranking of the '100 Most Creative People in Business'. Kawamura had a specific goal in mind. 'In Japan the Shichi-Go-San festival celebrates the healthy growth of children at three, five and seven years old. Children dress up in kimonos and families take commemorative pictures. We thought that by using modern-day technology we could literary add a new dimension by creating a new form of memorabilia.'

At the moment this project is over, but Party Inc. will be launching new projects soon.

OMOTE 3D

Wallpaper magazine

-- Technical support and considerations provided by 4C Creative CAD CAM Consulatants.

The world is in 3D, so we want to capture it that way. Our team invented 3D face recognition technology and created a real-time handheld professional 3D scanner. And we’re always thinking about ways to make our technology more affordable and a little more fun.

Having celebrated Christmas and New Year, we'd thought why can't we extend those festive feelings and ask the most creative folks out there to do something extraordinary.Today we’re announcing Winter Fun with Kinect contest inviting the Kinect owners around the world to create their own 3d models with our free fabulous Artec Studio software, designed specifically for Kinect, ASUS Xtion, Primesense sensors or our Eva 3D scanner. The main theme for scanned objects is winter. Snowmen, Santa and his elves, Xmas trees - think of winter to get inspired.

The top three winning authors will recieve up to $1000 cash prizes. The proud owners of Eva, our flagship 3D scanner for pros are welcome to take part as well.We open up a public vote for submissions, so get your folks to like your 3D model.Participating is easier than ever. You can download Artec Studio, scan the object and submit it to ViewShape. All entries must be received by February, 28th 2013.For more details, check out http://www.artec3d.com/winter-fun-with-kinect/

                                                                                   Take your Kinect for a scan!

                                                       Our contest has be extended till March, 14th. Don't miss the chance to win!