Here is a quick tutorial and setup for scanning with the Xbox Kinect. Yes that is the video game system, a toy! So for less than a $100 you can now scan your friends and anything else your heart desires.
First you need an Microsoft Xbox Kinect with USB adapter. You can buy one anywhere the Kinect purchased by it self comes with the USB adapter you can find plenty of used or refurbished ones on the market.
Next you will need a list of programs and installs to actually make the 3D scanning possible. Here it goes!
Kinect Software you will need to download and install 2 programs from here. Free
The actual scanning software is ReconstructMe! Free
All of the rest of the programs are needed for post preduction of tghe actual scans for 3D printing.
MeshLab is for converting the original scan file from a .ply file to an .stl file. Free
The final program is used for cleanup of of the model for 3D printing. Netfabb can do basic trim and fill of any holes that may have occurred during the scan. Making the model “water tight” for 3D printing. Free
My head is downloadable at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:21862 Thanks to Mike Moceri!
Also to make scanning a little easier print out a handle at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18125
rzfolio 