IVL Laboratory Overview
The IVL was specifically designed to be a flexible and dynamic research environment. There are currently 9 workstations within the IVL. Some stations are designed to perform a variety of tasks at any given time. However, others have specific pieces of software or hardware associated with them. For example, the workstation physically connected to the Cyberware Model Shop Color 3D Scanner is most often used in association with that piece of equipment. The Lab also contains a workstation for visiting researchers.
The lab relies on the following cutting edge hardware and computer software to input specimen data and produce images of outstanding technical and aesthetic quality.
Input Technology:
IVL input technologies use state-of-the-art equipment to digitally scan objects at high resolution from multiple vantage points.
Cyberware Model Shop Color 3D Scanner Bundle
The Model Shop Color 3D Scanner Bundle includes a 3030/RGB digitizing head and the MS motion system. This bundle also includes CyDir, Decimate, and scanning software.
Cyberware Desktop 3D Scanner Bundle
The Desktop 3D Scanner Bundle is a self-contained scanning package. This bundle includes a high-resolution digitizing head and a compact motion platform (Model 15). Also included in this bundle are CyDir, Decimate, and scanning software.
Imersion MicroScribe MX digitizing arm
MicroScribe MX systems offer metrology level accuracy, an easy-to-use articulated arm design, and seamless integration with the most popular reverse engineering and metrology software packages.
Cannon EOS Digital Rebel 300D
This 6.3 mega pixel digital camera is used to take photographs of each object that the lab scans.
HP ScanJet 6500 C 2d scanner
This flatbed scanner is utilized whenever the lab needs to scan any 2d items like photographs, documents or anything else that may be required by the project.
NextEngine Desktop 3D Scanner
The NextEngine Desktop 3D Scanner is a compact peripheral, about the size of a cereal box, and connects directly to any PC via USB 2.0. The system includes an AutoPositioner(tm) to capture multiple surfaces of objects, as well as a PartGripper(tm) to secure objects during scanning.
Computer Software:
IVL staff use complex computer software to manipulate multiple digital images to form virtual 3d models. These 3d images can then be "animated" in a variety of ways.
Cyberware CyDir digitizing environment
CyDir is a graphical interface for scanning objects, assembling and editing multiple scans, and merging multiple polygonal files into a single model. The CyDir environment contains several software packages including; CyDir, Guee, CyEdit, CyPaste, CyPie, CyEat, Mtool, and file format translation utilities.
ScanStudio 1.5.2
Software to scan, Align, Polish and Blend 3D models for the NextEngine Scanner that utilizes a high performance OpenGL 3D Viewer.
Geomagic Studio 9.1
Geomagic Studio is a digital shape sampling & processing (DSSP) software
application for the creation of accurate digital models from any physical
part. Geomagic Studio accepts data from any 3D scanner in the form of a
point cloud, and can process this data into polygons and NURBS surfaces
suitable for export and use in downstream applications for design, manufacturing,
analysis, and visualization. Geomagic Studio uses intelligent memory mapping
and disk caching with available hard drive swap space to handle very large
data sets. Multiple scans totaling over 100 million points can be registered
and merged. After creating the merged model, polygon decimation can be used
to reduce the triangle count while retaining accuracy. Geomagic Studio provides
a comprehensive set of tools for digital shape processing. With automation
and simplicity without compromise, we can bypass tedious, labor-intensive
tasks and increase throughput.
Rhinoceros 3.0 NURBS modeling for Windows
This software is utilized to create solid models capable of being
sent to a rapid prototype facility for 3d printing.
Materialise Mimics 10.0
This software is utilized to manipulate CT scans or STL files and create full 3d models from them.
Autodesk 3ds Max 7.0
One of the two primary 3d modeling and animation packages used by the IVL, 3ds Max is utilized for secondary editing of the models created by the Cyberware CyDir software. 3ds Max is also the primary software utilized for the texture mapping of the various models produced by the IVL.
Alias Maya 6.0 Unlimited
The second of the primary 3d modeling and animation packages used by the IVL, Maya is utilized for secondary editing of models created by the Cyberware CyDir software.