>>> SURPRISING: what a 3D printer can actually do!
Contact CT3D Group
CT3D Group – Professional 3D printing, 3D scanning, design and rapid prototyping services nationwide.
- CT3D Thu Duc – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong: in3d.edu.vn – Hotline 0975 008 728 (Mr. Thai)
- CT3D District 6 – Ho Chi Minh City: 3dmaker.vn – Hotline 038 7798308 (Mr. Phuc)
Tips for getting good 3D body scans
Scanning a person is a very different job from scanning a mechanical part. The subject always moves a little as they breathe, hair and clothing have complex textures, and skin color has to look natural. A good session depends on both the operator and the person being scanned:
- Stable pose: pick a pose that is easy to hold for a few minutes, and lean lightly on a fixed support if needed. Avoid holding the arms up high for long.
- Clothing: matte fabric with few wrinkles works best. Avoid shiny, jet-black or glittery clothes, as the scanner struggles to capture them.
- Hair: frizzy or messy hair produces noisy data. Comb it neatly or use a styling product to hold it in place.
- Lighting: for color scans you need even, diffuse light, with no harsh spotlights casting shadows on the face.
- Scanning technique: the operator moves the scanner steadily in loops around the subject, and covers the face, under the chin and behind the ears carefully.
Body scan data usually needs extra editing: smoothing the hair, patching holes on top of the head and correcting skin color before 3D printing or making a statue.
Scanning large and very large objects: splitting into zones
Cars, boats, outdoor statues or a whole furnished room can’t be scanned in one pass. You need to split the job into sensible zones:
| Step | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Place markers or a reference frame | Creates a common coordinate system and limits accumulated error on long objects |
| Split into overlapping zones | Helps the software align the zones accurately |
| Scan at a suitable resolution | Keeps files from getting too heavy; add detail only where it’s needed |
| Merge and check the whole model | Compare overall dimensions with real measurements |
A common use of body scan data is portrait statues, commemorative statues or large display figures. From the scan file, the model can be scaled up, a core can be machined, and then it is finished in durable outdoor materials. See composite statue production from 3D scan data if you need a large portrait statue.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full-body 3D scan take?
Usually just a few minutes with a fast handheld scanner. Processing, editing and preparing the print file afterward usually take longer than the scan itself.
Can small children or pets be 3D scanned?
Yes, but it’s harder because they don’t stay still. For subjects that move a lot, use a fast scanner, scan in short sections and expect more editing in post-processing.
Is body scanning harmful to health?
No real concern with scanners that use ordinary white light or infrared. The person being scanned should just avoid staring into the light source for long, and close their eyes when the scanner is over the face if it feels too bright.
Can body scan data be used for game or animation characters?
Yes, after extra processing. The model needs a clean retopology, a skeleton rig and optimized textures to work in modeling and animation software.
Related services at CT3D Group
- 3D scanning service – high-accuracy 3D scanning
- Custom 3D printing service
- Custom 3D design service
- CT3D Group network: ct3dgroup.com · in3d.edu.vn – Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728