Could external adjustable polarizing filters for the camera and projector lenses be offered as an optional attachment to the scanner?
Based on my experience with photogrmmetry, I think polarizing filters could really help in scanning highly reflective surfaces without having to significantly reduce camera exposure levels.
Hi Will,
Thanks for the great idea. I don't have a ton of time lately to rnd this, but it sounds very plausible. I'll put it on my list. If you try it yourself let us know how it goes!
Thanks for the quick response Drew. I'll do some experiments with polarizing film and let you know the results.
I am actually doing this with my DIY structured light scanner to capture texture and it works pretty well.
You need to add polarized filter on the RGB camera who captures the texture AND also use external light source (e.g. led light) with polarized film rotated by 90° in relation to the filter on the RGB camera. Only polarized filter on the RGB camera is not enough!
By this you are able to reduce reflections a lot and overall texture quality will improve significant.
Because MAF3 uses same camera for scanning and texture it is mandatory to capture point cloud and texture seperately. E.g. first turntable rotation capture only point cloud with external light switched off and polarized filter removed from camera, then second rotation capture for texture only with external light switched on and polarized filter added to the camera. MAF3 would need to support this in the SW. Based on my experience the texture quality will improve extraordanary by using plarized filter/film.
+1 for this feature request.
I have done such filter for LED lights and MAF3 scanner on my own.
Here the setup:
Some results from the texture scanning in this thread:
Official accessory kit including polarizer filter for MAF3 and external LED lights with filters would be great extension. Including full support in the MAF3 software with option to control LED lights as well. It's not only upsell, it's even more to take the full potential out of existing MAF3 HW.
If own development is to time consuming also existing LED light solutions with control function via network could be integrated. E.g. switch lights off/on and dim the brighness (optional).
HDR plus CrossPolarization would make the MAF3 to unique device on the market being able to compete with current laser scanners.
