Go to the 'Make the Model' page from the main '3D Scanning' menu to start the Scanetica Scanning program in a new web page.

Use the mouse to click on the 'Open' button in the top left corner. This will open a dialog box with which you need to choose your two stereo images. Most likely it will open the wrong folder so you will need to navigate to the correct folder to find your images.

If you forgot to note the names of your images or are unsure of which images are the correct ones, then you can display the images, rather than the names, in the dialog box. Click on the list icon at the top right of the dialog box and choose the Thumbnails option from the drop down menu. All the images will now be displayed and you should be able to choose the correct images.

To choose both images at the same time hold down the control key on the keyboard and click on the names. This will display both images in the main program panel on the web page.

If you clicked on only one of the files, or the two images were in separate folders, then only one image will be loaded. You will need to click on the 'Open' button to load the second image. then it will be loaded and you can repeat the process to load the second image.

When satisfied, click on the 'Next' button in the top right corner of the program.

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In the next step just one of the images will be displayed, along with an Assistant panel. You need to use this section to tell the program which parts of the image you want in your model. If you want the entire image in the model then proceed immediately by clicking on the 'Done' button in the top right corner.

Otherwise you will need to outline the desired subject; placing a line around the edge of the subject. The area contained within the line will be used for the model.

Automatic

There are several ways of placing the line. The easiest is to use the 'Auto' button at the bottom left of the panel. This works for some subjects on plain backgrounds. However you might need to move or delete some of the points using the methods given below.

Manual

Otherwise you must 'draw' the line manually. Start by clicking on the edge of the area to be modelled. Continue around the subject clicking on the edge as you go. You can move or delete points at any stage using the methods below. Finish the line by clicking on your starting point. At any stage you can magnify the image for ease of point placement.

You can also insert extra points wherever necessary after finishing. You can use blue points where the line will form a smooth curve, or red points which allow the line to form an acute angle.

The following describe the useable controls.

• Magnify the image.

  Click on the magnify buttons on the lower left of the panel, to make the image larger or smaller at any time to aid placement of the points. You may need to use the directional arrows next to the magnify buttons to move the image to follow the outline of the subject.

• Move a Point

  At any stage, place the cursor over the point, click and hold down the left mouse button, and drag the point to its new location.

• Delete a Point

  At any stage, place the cursor over the point and click the left mouse button, without moving the mouse.

• Add a Point

  When the line is closed, click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the new point to its new location.

• Use an acute angle point.

  When ever adding a new point, either when drawing the line or when modifying it later, hold down the 'Control' key on 'Windows' based computers while you carry out the operation. A red dot will signify that the line will form an acute angle at that point.

• Reset

  If you really want to start again, click on the 'Reset' button on the lower left of the Scanner panel.

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When satisfied, click on the 'Scan' button in the top right corner. This will start the scanner process. While the scanner operates it displays a faded image of the subject as well as a progress bar. When it finishes the display is replaced by the model itself.

When viewing the model you can:-

• zoom in or out, using the buttons in the lower left of the panel.
• move the model around the panel, using the buttons in the lower left of the panel.
• switch the texture on and off to see the underlying shape of the model.
• rotate the model by clicking and dragging with the mouse.

If and when you are satisfied, click on the 'Save' button at the top left. You will be presented with a save dialog box. Navigate to a suitable folder, type in a name and click save. This will save the model to your own computer as a proprietry 'model' file.

If you are not satisfied with your model you can simply make a new model with the same or other images.

If you wish to go back to a model which you have previously made and saved then you can do so by using the Scanetica Viewer. To do so, choose the 'View and Export' option from '3D Scanning' item on the main menu. This will allow you to open your 'model' file and view the result. using the same controls as in the 3D Scanner program.

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If you wish you can export your model in other formats for use in other 3D modelling programs. Exporting your model can be done either from within the Scanetica Scanner immediately after you have made your model, or from within the Scanetica Viewer using a saved model. (The Scanetica Viewer is accessible under the 'View and Export' item in the '3D Scanning' list on the main menu.)

Currently, two formats are supported. The 'OBJ' format can be imported into other 3D modelling programs. The 'STL' format is an industry standard file format for loading into manufacturing equipment designed to reproduce 3D physical models. The models in this format do not have texture associated with them.

To export a model, click on the 'Export' button at the top left. Choose which format you wish to use to save your model, and click on the button. Note that the 'OBJ' format requires two files. Due to the requirements of web browsers you need to save each file independently. You must click on each button in turn to save the structure file and the texture file separately.

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