3D Scanning and Lighting

MakerBot recently issued some tips and instructions on how to best use their new Digitizer 3D scanner, with a focus on lighting. We've been fiddling with 3D scanners in the lab and have to agree: lighting is critical. 

Regardless of the scanner used, be it MakerBot's, a cheap Kinect or a USD$50K scanner, lighting is perhaps more important than the choice of scanner. 

One problem we've encountered many times is the need for consistent lighting in all directions. When capturing color information (say while using 123D Catch), your camera's exposure  may vary as you move about the subject. Similarly, lighting effects may affect your turntable scan as surfaces are exposed to different lighting. 

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