When Artec 3D introduced the Artec Ray 3D scanner, it was quite a different device from the handheld scanners that we had been using. The data coming from the Artec Ray can sometimes benefit from different settings when processing the mesh data. In this video, I’m going to talk to you about a special tool that is just for Artec Ray data called the Ray Scan Triangulation.
I started by importing the two scans of the same area, in this case, a parking lot, from the Artec Ray into Artec Studio. I’ve gone ahead and aligned both scans. The first thing to point out is that these are massive data sets. I used the highest settings for the sharpest resolution with the Arctic Ray, and when I created this Sharp Fusion with a five-millimeter resolution, the results were stunning. I’ve captured exceptional detail, but it took about 35 minutes to calculate. That’s great for the best results possible. What if we wanted something faster? That’s where the Ray Scan Triangulation comes into play. This is only available for Artec Ray scan data. Ray Scan Triangulation is a much faster way to get a mesh and use for reverse engineering – possibly as just as a preview or something that doesn’t require as much detail.
In the settings, the most important one to focus on is the Decimation Ratio. This allows the user to reduce the number of points that go into the start of the calculation, which speeds things up. But even with the Decimation Ratio of one, this is going to go much faster than a regular sharp fusion or a smooth fusion. In this case, it’s going to take about 10 seconds. Note that there are two separate meshes, one for each scan. Ray Scan Triangulation cannot combine multiple scans from the Artec Ray into one mesh. Additionally, it doesn’t give us quite the resolution, it is a bit coarser.
One thing to point out if you look at the mesh, is that there are variable triangle sizes. Notice how it’s spacing out the triangles to be different shapes and sizes depending on the distance the points are from one another.
The Artec Ray can collect data anywhere between just two or three feet away from its face, up to 110 meters away.
Ray Scan Triangulation is also capable of showing the colors that were captured by the color cameras on the Artec Ray, which can be useful, especially if you’re trying to pick out a particular object. Again, a sharp fusion is still the best, sharpest geometric result that we’re going to get. The Ray Scan Triangulation feature is a useful tool to have in your tool belt when you’re using the Artec Ray.
