Environment and location scanning has the ability to recreate environments, locations or objects in 3D based solely on photography (photogrammetry), without the need to project a laser or structured light. Consequently, this allows you to scan large environments or sets as long as a camera can capture it.
Some of the steps involved in creating a workable 3D asset from a passive scanBack to top
What are the benefits of using this type of scanning?
Ease of use: It eliminates the need for expensive technicians and high-tech equipment. Its only requirement is a skilled photographer with a decent digital SLR camera and a good working knowledge of how the photo capture process works. The better the camera and lens, the higher the resolution and accuracy.
Speed: Speed is improved in two key areas: First, photography accelerates the scanning process – because you only photograph exactly what is required. Second is processing the data: Depending on the level of detail - the scan processing can take as little as a few hours to get the initial* result.
Cost: In relation to LIDAR, it is extremely cost effective.
Flexibility: Because it works exclusively with photography, it is no longer necessary to close a set/location for scanning. Any moving object will automatically be canceled out and there is no danger to people present (LIDAR uses lasers which can be harmful).
Sepulveda pass scanned from a moving vehicle.Back to top
What can Eyetronics provide?
In addition to providing a skilled staff of experienced photographers, Eyetronics offers initial scan data conversion into 3D assets. Just as with LIDAR, the scans are used as high-resolution references to create very accurate 3D models. This means overlaying the scan with new topology which can be unwrapped, textured, detailed and eventually animated and rendered. When it comes to environments and sets, high-resolution triangulated geometry can be turned into quaded, unwrapped and textured geometry.
Converting a high resolution scan of a rock wall to a game-ready mesh with RGB color map and normal map
Eyetronics delivers three levels of detail. The first, and most basic level is scaled and aligned scan data: All the individually scanned pieces are combined, scaled appropriately, and aligned in the scene. This level is especially useful for figuring out relative distances and sizes between buildings, objects, mountains, etc. The second level is great for pre-visualization of a scene: A low resolution mesh is created on top of the scan data and textures are properly re-applied to give an accurate but very manageable model of the scene. Thirdly, a very high-resolution model can be created, to produce a 'clean' and very detailed version of a set.
Eyetronics' artists can quickly and efficiently convert scan data in accurate and highly detailed assets.Back to top
Why use this technology?
Some of the uses are:
Location digitizing: Consider it location insurance – now you can create an accurate digital copy of a set for future use and reference.
Location scouting: Decrease your scouting costs while improving quality and accuracy by adding a third dimension to locations - now your various production personnel can see all your locations with an added dimension: depth.
Pre-visualization: Now your production director and visual effects teams can plan moves based on an accurate representation of your sets by having them converted into 3D.
Preparing locations: using a scan of the location, now it’s possible to determine lighting, camera angles, green screens and set dressing prior to setting foot on stage.
Other: Rig-removal, backgrounds, color information, photography insertion, re-shoots, visual reference, set archive
