3D Scanning With a Mobile Phone and Other Methods

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to use a mobile phone for 3D scanning using an application called 123D Catch. Other 3D scanning methods were used to compare different types of 3D scanning. Common 3D scanning methods available and their uses are presented in this work.

A professional 3D scanner was used to get precise scan data on an object which was then used as reference for the lower tech methods. Scanning with a mobile phone means taking 2D photographs of an object from different angles. The photos are then stitched together automatically in the 123D Catch application cloud, from where the data can be downloaded to a computer and manipulated.

A plastic part was 3D scanned and edited to replicate the part with a 3D printer. Equipment available at Arcada was used to test whether this was possible and how well it could be done.

Being a free to use application the 123D Catch was found to create good scans in the right conditions. The result of the scans depend highly on the ambient light and the way the photos are taken of the object.