MakerBot/Scanning An Object Using The Kinect: Full 360 Degree View

Purpose

To create a procedure to scan an object in 360 degrees for 3D printing

Procedure

1. Install drivers from http://labs.manctl.com/rgbdemo/index.php/Main/Download.

The drivers must be installed in this order,

       1)OpenNI 1.5.2.23.
       2)SensorKinect 5.1.0.25.
       3)Nite 1.5.2.21.

Visit the RGB-Demo website, go to the "Download" page and download the all in one driver package named "Zigfu"

All in One Driver Package

2. Install the Drivers manually by extracting the files from the .zip folder and going through the Control Panel > Device Manager > Kinect (Plug in/Disconnect the USB to the computer to find the right Com port if it is not recognized)> Properties > Hardware > Properties > Driver > Update Driver > Browse my computer... > Browse... > Find the extracted driver

3. Download and extract the RGB-Demo software

RGB-Demo Software For Mac or Win 7 32 Bit

4a. For 360 degree views try using calibrate-kinect-ir.exe. I have not had success with this execution file, but this may be because I did not install the drivers manually. I just realized this as a possible solution after reading my partners tutorial for capturing a perspective view point cloud.

Calibrate the Kinect with the printed checkered board so that the Kinect can follow all the movements when an object is scanned in 360 degrees. After calibration, the image should look similar to this example.

RGBdemo files

4b. Use the rgbd-viewer or rgbd-reconstructor to see a color image and a RGB (red-green-blue) image through the Kinect

Note: Use the execution files one at a time, otherwise they crash

Detail is best when the appropriate object is a pinkish shade of red

3d model view software

5a. After calibrating the Kinect, 3D scanning using rgbd-scan-markers should work to capture a 360 degree view point cloud.

Note: There are options for saving the model and they are saved in the same folder where the software is found by default (example images below).

5b. Use the grab-mesh (automatically captures mesh) or rgbd-reconstructor (use start button) to capture a point cloud which is saved as a .ply (polygon) mesh in the RGB-Demo folder

6. Download and install MeshLab (search google)

Note: Many other free software programs besides MeshLab are available for 3D modeling, such as Blender, AutoDesk Maya with free 3 year Student License, or Autodesk 123D

7. Refer to our tutorial on Cleaning up Point Cloud Meshes in MeshLab to push your project towards 3D printing

On RGB-Demo's main page a demonstrational video shows an object being scanned on the calibration board.