Direct Dimensions scanned and imaged Natalie Portman in 3D for her Oscar winning role in the film, Black Swan.
We scanned the critically acclaimed actress for the latest film by Darren Aronofsky (Director of The Wrestler). Using various 3D imaging technologies, Ms. Portman's face, head, and body were digitally captured and modeled into 3D.
To see how some of our scans were used, check out this video about the film's special effects.
In honor of Presidents' Day, we thought we would share George Washington related projects we've worked on.
Over the years, Direct Dimensions has applied our innovative 3D digital technologies and capabilities to aid in the documentation and restoration of several of our nation's most historic sites and artifacts. As we reviewed the list of our projects with historic significance, we noticed that several had a common link: George Washington.
Williamsburg Coffee House
In the summer of 2008, Direct Dimensions visited Williamsburg, Virginia to document the condition of the existing remains of an original ‘coffee house’ that George Washington was known to frequent. This particular coffee house, owned by Richard Charlton during the 1760's, was one of several that had flourished in the area due to their popularity in London and abroad. Coffee houses of that time were known for more than their coffee, tea, and chocolate served to the colonials - they also hosted informal and spirited intellectual conversation. This activity made Charlton's coffee house one of Williamsburg's political and business ‘hotspots’ of the time. In addition to Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Francis Fauquier were often in attendance.
DDI worked with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to laser capture what remains of the coffee house’s stone foundation. Of the original structure, only part of the brick foundation and some wooden fragments are still intact. We scanned the exposed foundation and the earthen floor with our Surphaser HSX spherical scanner. This unique scanner captures extremely accurate and high resolution data over a medium-range (2-10 meters). The Surphaser is a non-contact laser scanner so none of the delicate centuries-old foundation was harmed during the data capture process.
The raw 3D ‘point cloud’ data gathered in Williamsburg was then digitally modeled back at the Direct Dimensions facility in Baltimore, Maryland. The final surface mesh model can be used to analyze the archaeological features found at the site. The data will also be used to help plan the reconstruction of the Charlton coffee house, which is to be rebuilt and furnished in the style of an accurate 18th century structure. Once completed, the coffee house will host educational programming and will have the distinction of being the only establishment of the kind in the country.
Valley Forge, PA
Another Washington-related project we have worked on is the scanning of a river bank in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania - the site of the American Continental Army's camp during the American Revolutionary War. George Washington and his men occupied Valley Forge over the winter of 1777, which marked some of the direst times for the colonial army. Washington's men were cold, poorly-fed, ill-equipped, and worn out from a series of long engagements. However, during Washington's time at Valley Forge, the tide of the war began to turn, eventually leading to American independence. Due to its immense historical significance, the site was designated as the Valley Forge National Historical Park in 1976, under management by the U.S. Park Service.
Direct Dimensions was called to Valley Forge in fall 2005 in order to document an approximately one acre site which had begun to erode along a river bank. Over the course of a single day, we took approximately 20 different outdoor scans of the area using the Faro LS laser scanner, which is optimal for large-scale, long-range projects. The river bank was captured using our 3D technology, as well as several high-resolution scans of what was left of a previously undocumented building foundation. The scan data was digitally modeled to create an accurate ‘watertight’ 3D surface mesh. This data was then used to fabricate a physical scale via rapid prototype 3D printing of the foundation. This model was then finished by model makers and displayed at the visitor’s center. Additionally, the data supplied by Direct Dimensions was used by Park Service officials to aid in the excavation of the Valley Forge site.
Maryland State House
Also related to George Washington, in summer 2008, Direct Dimensions performed digital archival work at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, MD. It was in the room known as the “Old Senate Chamber” within the Maryland State House that George Washington submitted his resignation as the Commander of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783. In tribute, a mannequin of George Washington stands at the head of the room, dressed in period clothing and a bronze plaque commemorates the exact spot of this famous transition of power.
The Maryland State House, built during the Revolutionary War, still functions today as the oldest continuously used State House in the nation. Clearly, given the significance of this structure, Direct Dimensions was quite willing to demonstrate the 3D digital capabilities that can be used to document, analyze, and restore its original design.
In one day on-site in Annapolis, DDI laser scanned the entire Old Senate Chamber room, which included its exposed original brick walls, plaster ceiling, wood plank flooring, a small 2nd story balcony, and the architectural ornamental elements. Again the Surphaser mid-range scanner was used as it was the perfect tool to capture all these fine details of the approximate 35-ft square room. In addition, DDI performed several test scans on the State House's unique and famous dome, so significant that it was featured on Maryland’s commemorative state quarter.
The raw laser data, digitally modeled by DDI’s technicians using PolyWorks software, was provided for the Historical Structure Archive for the State. Given its resolution and accuracy, it could also be used to replicate historical elements in exact detail, should the need arise.
More Presidential Projects
If you haven't had your fill of 3D American Presidents, make sure to read our other case studies Presidents Lincoln, Bush and Obama.
Lincoln Memorial Featured Project
Lincoln Life Mask featured project
Virtual Obama featured project
Reconstructing Buildings from Physical Facilities into Virtual Realities
In November 2008 Clark Construction and joint venture partner Hunt Construction Group were awarded a contract for building phase IV of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System’s new 150-acre medical campus. At $364.9 million, the hospital project was the largest ever awarded by the VA.
Clark Construction is one of the largest general contracting companies in the United States and one of their primary tenets is their commitment to a well planned pre-construction phase. Extra care early on can lead to fewer construction-phase changes, reduced construction time, and cost savings. Their commitment to this principal has led them to embrace many cutting-edge technologies such as Building Information Modeling or BIM.
Associated General Contractors of America define BIM as “an object-oriented building development tool that utilizes 5-D modeling concepts, information technology and software interoperability to design, construct and operate a building project, as well as communicate its details.”
According to Jim Day, Vice President of the Las Vegas Office, in an interview with Business Excellence Magazine, the biggest advantage to BIM is “improved efficiency when you get to the point where you are installing systems.” Pre-BIM, spatial conflicts during installation might not have been detected until systems were being installed; with a Building Information Model these errors (and the time and costs associated with them) can be avoided.
During the construction planning phase for the hospital, the team at Clark encountered design challenges that could be solved using cutting-edge 3D laser scanning technologies. They were interested in including an existing energy plant into their VA Hospital BIM. Rather than attempt to create a model of the plant from scratch, Clark Construction was looking for a company who could document the existing rooms and model them into a format suitable for inclusion in their hospital model.
With over 15 years of experience with thousands of complex 3D measurement problems of virtually all type and size, Direct Dimensions was up to the task. Direct Dimensions team members Glenn Woodburn and Dan Haga flew out to the VA Hospital Site with a Faro LS Laser Scanner, a long-range, large-volume spherical scanner that can digitize vast open spaces with precision very quickly. Over the course of a week, they scanned and documented 10 extensive MEP spaces within the facility from multiple vantage points. These 3D laser scans included all existing facilities and installed components including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fit-outs, air handling duct work, and structural ladders, catwalks, and platforms.
The scanner, mounted on a tripod like a camera, collected raw data in the form of a dense 3D spherical ‘point cloud’ of millions of coordinates of the elements within the facility. In the end, these 3D laser images formed a high-definition survey of each room, a process that could take weeks using conventional survey measurement tools.
Upon returning to the Direct Dimensions facility in Owings Mills, the raw data scans were loaded into PolyWorks software and then coordinated and aligned together to form single point clouds of each room. Even at this initial stage, measurements can be extracted from any location within the entire facility as if using a virtual tape measure.
After the scans were aligned in PolyWorks, they were brought into Rhino using the Pointools plug-in to create engineered geometry-based models. Then rooms that were spatially related, such as the boiler and chiller rooms, were aligned together for easier inclusion into the final BIM. The final CAD models were exported in DXF format, suitable for importation into NavisWorks, the software package Clark was using to construct the BIM.
Phase IV of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System’s new 150-acre medical campus is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
Direct Dimensions is sponsoring a webinar for APMM this Wednesday, January 19th:
"3D Imaging Technologies to Help the Model Making Process".
There will be two available webinar sessions: 12 & 3 pm EST Wednesday January, 19th. If interested please contact info@modelmakers.org!
3D laser scanning is a vital tool in every craftperson's tool box. Even if you don't use this technology, being aware of its capabilities will equip you to know when to use and who to call for such services and products.
We will discus various 3D imaging and scanning tools and the conversion of collected raw "point cloud" data into high-quality industrial 3D CAD models, for rapid prototyping via additive manufacturing or 5-axis milling.
Join APMM for this educational webinar on 3D imaging as applied to model making!
Happy New Year!
What better way to start off the year than with a free model download?
You can download the free car model and others on our website.
Desktop 3D Printers
Welcome to part 2 of this topic- Desktop 3D Printers
Like 3D scanners, 3D printers have already reached the small business market and are now just entering the individual consumer marketplace. Their build envelopes are limited but what could be cooler than printing your own action figures, robot parts, or 3D portraits?
* The RepRap project is an open-source project aimed at creating self replication rapid manufacturing machines. Based out of Bath University, the project shares its plans and the RepRap community can build as is or make their own improvements, which they can then share.
* At the other end of the Desktop 3D printer spectrum comes the V Flash from 3D Systems. Rather than making your 3D printer from scratch you can buy this smaller version of traditional additive manufacturing technology. It is priced for small businesses and schools.
* In the same market space as the V Flash, Solido bills their SolidPro300 as the “world's most cost efficient and flexible 3D printer”. In the US the SolidPro300 is distributed by Enser.
* Between RepRap, the V Flash, and SolidPro300 comes the Makerbot Cupcake CNC. Makerbot sells a kit for the Cupcake CNC but the customer puts it together. Like RepRap, they also host a community called Thingverse. Though their community revolves more around the 3D models than the machine itself. They are also working on a 3D scanning kit.
* HP has also recently announced that they are entering the market in an agreement with Stratysis who will produce mainstream 3D printers using Fused Deposition Modeling technology.
The above examples are just a small selection from a quickly developing marketplace, but they are a good indication of what home scanning technologies are just around the corner. Thanks for reading “Everything you always wanted to know about 3D scanning”, we hope it is has been an informative series!
If you have any questions feel free to contact us at info@dirdim.com.
Chapter 10, Part 1: The Future - Desktop Scanning and Manufacturing
Before we finish our series “Everything you always wanted to know about 3D scanning” we wanted to take a moment to talk about what we think is the immediate future in 3D scanning and manufacturing: the technology is going Desktop.
In the last few years, companies have been creating more products with smaller footprints, at much lower price points, making the technology a viable tool for schools and medium to small businesses. In addition to these new products, students and hobbyists have been creating (and sharing) do-it-yourself versions of 3D scanning and rapid manufacturing products. Soon we could see 3D scanners and printers in home offices!
Coming in the near future – to a home workshop near you!
Commercial Desktop and Handheld Scanners:
There are a few digitizers and scanners out there that are sized and priced for the small business. The price points are not yet for your everyday consumer, but it is getting closer all of the time.
* One of our favorite desktop digitizer/scanners is the Microscribe. It is a miniature articulating arm that is easily portable, is compatible with most popular reverse engineering and metrology packages, and offers near metrology level accuracy in a small package. Obviously you are not going to digitize an airplane with this – but we consider it the first major desktop digitizer (an attachable scanner is also available).
* 3D metrology has also entered the realm of handheld and wireless. eMicroscibe also now offer the MobiGage, the first handheld 3D metrology app. You don’t even need a computer, just a Microscribe and an iPhone or iPod Touch, to take measurements.
* Next Engine also offers a desk top 3D laser scanner. Its compact size, ease of use, customer support and price point are quickly making it a popular choice for small businesses and individuals.
Open Source, Consumer and Up-Coming Scanning Technologies:
While they don’t come close to offering the same kind of accuracy as current available scanning systems, there is a burgeoning community of small businesses, hobbyists and students who are working to bring 3D scanners into the home. New products are rapidly developing.
* Qi Pan, a student at Cambridge University has created ProFORMA, which uses a web cam to collect data and create a color 3D model.
* David Laser Scanner offers a kit to build your own basic scanning system using every day objects like a web cam and hand held laser pointer.
* Perhaps the ultimate in DIY scanners, Friederich Kirschner used Legos, a webcam and some milk to create 3D models.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this chapter- Desktop Manufacturing. If you have any questions about desktop scanning equipment, like the Microscribe, feel free to contact Direct Dimensions. We're happy to answer any questions.
The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS), the eminent membership association for measurement professionals, proudly announces the "Call for Papers" for their 2011 Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference (CMSC).
The 27th annual event will be held in Phoenix, AZ from July 25-29, 2011. Metrology professionals from leading manufacturers and science laboratories are invited to submit abstracts for technical papers and presentations covering industry best practices, scientific research and developments, and successful applications of 3D coordinate measurement systems. Abstract submissions will be peer reviewed by the CMS Executive Committee and considered for presentation at CMSC 2011.
Click here for more information.
Quality Magazine recently ran a story about our 3D scan project for the Maryland Statehouse. You can read the story below.
Archiving the Past
Restoring the original architectural design of The Maryland State House – a Georgian style building built during the Revolutionary War – was made easier with 3-D imaging technology.
In summer 2008, Direct Dimensions Inc. (DDI), a 3-D laser scanning services firm, performed digital archival work at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, MD. The Maryland Statehouse functions today as the oldest continuously used State House in the nation. It was in the room known as the “Old Senate Chamber” within the Maryland State House that George Washington submitted his resignation as the Commander of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783.
A major renovation planned for the Old Senate Chamber, which included removing the plaster walls to show the original brick surface, created a unique opportunity to document the initial structure of this historically important space. With the brick uncovered for only a short period, the archivists wanted to find a way to quickly and accurately document the chamber.
Given the significance of this structure, DDI was quite willing to demonstrate the 3-D digital capabilities that can be used to not only document but also help analyze the existing structure, site plan and even restore the building.
“The archivists had employed a fairly high-tech program, so we were excited to show them our 3-D imaging technologies to help them stay ahead of the curve,” DDI Business Development Manager Harry Abramson explained.
With only one day on-site in Annapolis to document the entire chamber, the DDI engineering team chose the Surphaser HSX medium-range laser for the project. The Surphaser scanner works by sweeping a laser over a specified area. This then returns a high-definition data map of the surfaces touched by the laser. The resulting data can be up to half a billion of points on the surface map, which is shown as a point cloud. This point cloud is used to model an exact digital replica of the scanned structure.
The Surphaser laser scanner was a perfect tool for this project because it was easily portable and able to quickly laser scan the entire Old Senate Chamber room, which included its exposed original brick walls, plaster ceiling, wood plank flooring, a small second story balcony and the architectural ornamental elements. The scanner, mounted on a tripod like a camera, collected raw data in the form of a dense 3-D point cloud of millions of coordinates of the elements within the chamber. In the end, these 3-D laser images formed a high-definition survey of the entire space, a process that could take weeks using conventional measurement tools.
With the scanning complete, the team returned to DDI, where the raw data scans were loaded into PolyWorks software and then coordinated and aligned together to form a single point cloud of the entire space. The point cloud was processed into a digital mesh and surfaced.
The 3-D model of the Old Senate Chamber was provided for the Historical Structure Archive for the State. The model represents a complete digital duplication of this important space. Due to its resolution and accuracy it could also be used to replicate historical elements in exact detail, should the need arise. The same data can also be used to create architectural elevation drawings, 3-D animations and walkthroughs, or even a miniature physical representation.
This month we highlighted some great 3D imaging industry events that are offering the opportunity for you to give back and share your knowledge and expertise with others in our field. We attend, support, and often give technical presentations at these events and always have a wonderful experience!
We also provided a list of some of Direct Dimensions' favorite sites, forums and blogs about 3D scanning.
