3D Laser Scanner: Scanning with the Turntable
1.
 Step One: Turn on the laser scanner, remove the two caps on the front of the scanner, and log into the computer attached to the scanner.
 
2.
 Step Two: Launch Geomagic "Start>Programs>3D Applications>Geomagic Studio 8"
   
3.
 Step Three: Click on the Plug in "Minolta" located in the toolbar, or select from the menu "Plugin>Minolta". The control panel on the back of the laser scanner will then read "Remote"
   
4.
 Step Four: Click "NO" at the "Calibrate the turntable axis" pop up window.
 
5.

Step Five: Check the scanners defaults. Click on "Advanced Options" this brings up the configure window for the turntable

Note: the settings should match the settings I have below.
 
6.

Step Six: Place the target on the turntable. Align the metal pegs on the target into the grooves of the turntable so that the target sits flat on the turntable.

Note: Place the cable attached to the target behind the target so that it is not seen by the camera.
 
7.
 Step Seven: Click on the option, "Show Live Image Window" This will allow us to aim the camera.

8. Step Eight: Check on Fast Scan in the Minolta Scanner settings window.
 
   
9.

Step Nine: Aim the scanner at the target. Approximately 48" away. The target should fill a good portion of the camera's window.
Uncheck "Enable Streaming Video", and click on "Update Range and Color Image". This will set the Auto Focus and Auto Intensity on the scanner. You will also get a color image on the right window. This image needs to have both Red and Blue on the target. If you do not have a full color range, you need to reposition the camera (move it closer or further away) and update the Range and color image again.

Note: You need to have both Auto Focus and Auto Intensity Checked on.
 

   
10 Step Ten: Click on the "Calibrate Axis" button. Click "OK" on the pop up window.

The scanner will scan the target and attempt to find the center axis. If you get a pop up window that says "Calibration Failed", make sure you have "Fast Scan" selected instead of "Fine Scan". Also make sure the Range and Color Image window shows both Blue and Red colors. If not, you will need to reposition the scanner either closer or further away and reclick on the "Update Range and Color Image".
 
   
11

Step Eleven: When you get a successful calibration you will see a center axis appear in the geomagic modeling window.

Note: DO NOT move the scanner after you have calibrated the axis. You will loose the calibration if you do.

 
12 Step Twelve: Replace the target on the turntable with the object you wish to scan.

Switch to "Fine Scan" in the scanner control window
 
   
13

Step Thirteen: Set the Rotation Step for the turntable and set Scan Mode to "Multi-Shot"

The rotation step sets the amount of degrees the turntable will rotate between each scan. The larger the rotation step the less scans you will make. I recommend you use a 30 to 45 degree rotation step.

 
   
14 Step Fourteen: After you have set your degree rotation, click the scan button. The scanner will scan the object. Note: the turntable will not rotate on the first scan.
 
   
15 Step Fifteen: Click the "Next" Button. The turntable will rotate and the scanner will take the next scan. The scan will appear in the scanning window along with the first scan.
 
   
16 Step Sixteen: Continue scanning until you make a full rotation or until you are satisfied with the area scanned. Click "OK" to exit out of the Minolta scanning window.
 
   
17

Step Seventeen: You can review the scans. Notice how you can highlight individual scans. If you hold down the control key you can select multiple scans.

Select all the scans to merge into one scanned object.

 
   
18

Step Eighteen: It is a good idea to merge all of the individual scans into one scan. This reduces the file size and makes it easier to manipulate the model in other 3D modeling programs.

To merge a scan, select all the individual scans and click on "Points>Merge". The following window will appear. Under Target Triangles, set a density for the mesh model that will be created. In this case I selected 25,000 triangles.

Note: The more triangles you have the larger the file size.

 
   
19 Step Nineteen: The following merged model will be created. Note: We still have the individual scans as well.
 
   
20 Step Twenty: Save your merged model as either an STL or DXF file format to import into another 3D modeling program.
 
   

Additional Options:
Sometimes you cannot capture the entire depth of an object in a one scan pass. If you have this problem you can perform multiple scans on the same object adjusting the distance of each scan on the object. This is similar to changing the F-Stop focus depth in an image. Geomagic will then combine each scan into one 3D model.

 
To do this check on "Variable Distance Mode" and set the number of scans and scanning distance before clicking on the "Scan" Button.

No. of Scans: This sets the number of scans to be taken at a set distance interval through the object.

Distance Increment: This sets the distance increment of each scan.

Each time you select "Next" the scanner will scan the object 3 times, producing 3 separate scans at different depths for each rotation. This is the best way to scan a model that is larger than the scanning depth on the scanner.