Have the lab consultant log on to the slicing computer for you.
Open the EX Scan application.
Click ‘New Work’ and save your new work onto the desktop.
Choose whether you want texture and color for your scan or just the shape of your objects. (For 3D printing texture is not required. A texture scan takes longer and can lead to more errors) And when you have selected click ‘Apply’
Place your object onto the center of the scan plate. The object cannot rest atop the white markers on the turntable.
Difficult to scan objects include: transparent objects, shiny or reflective objects, very dark objects, fuzzy objects, objects with fine textures, or hollow objects.
Look at the camera in the top left of the scanner software and find the appropriate brightness setting using the slider in the ‘Scan Setting’ portion in the menu below the camera. (You can also open the right camera by right clicking the gray part of the screen to open the option.
Adjust the brightness so that you can see red on your object, but it is not covered by the red
When you are ready, press the scan button on the right side of the screen to begin the scanning process. (Do not to move the table or object while scanning as it will affect the quality of the scan)
As the object is being scanned you can observe how well its worked before it even finishes to make a full object
Editing the Scan
When the scan is completed, select any artifacts or errors by holding shift while clicking. Then, select delete to clean up the scan.
If the scan is still not detailed enough or is missing any faces, try scanning again in a different orientation until you’re satisfied with the quality of the scan.
Click the ‘Align’ button with the puzzle piece icon to arrange your different scans for a more complete view of the object.
Drag and drop each group into the two upper boxes.
Then now that the data is in, click ‘Feature’ in the top left corner to automatically align the object correctly.
Making a Mesh Model to Download
Finally, make a mesh-model of the object to download by clicking 'Global Optimization' and confirming when the check box pops up. Then, click 'Make a Mesh Model' at the bottom of the toolbar on the right side of the screen.
Select which type of model you want the software to create for your object:
Choose Watertight Model if you intend to 3D print directly from the model, and for most fully closed objects.
Select Unwatertight Model for a less processed model if you intend to do further edits before 3D printing.
Choose the level of detail you want to model to keep from the scans
High will give you the most detailed 3D model, but will take more time and storage space to process.
Medium will be a lower quality model but will take less time than high quality.
Low will prioritize saving you processing time and storage space over the model’s detail.
After the mesh model is finished, if you want to edit the mesh further, more editing tools can be found under the ‘edit section.’
Once you are finished editing the model, click ‘save your scan’ to export the model as an STL for 3D printing or as a variety of other file extensions such as .obj .3mf, and more.
