Do you want to turn an object into a 3D model without having to pay several hundred euros?
This article is for you!
How it works
The application will use all the pictures you have taken from different angles to calculate the depth of the model using the light effects on the images. This is photogrammetry.
Prerequisites
Here’s all you need:
- A phone with a camera running Android or Apple
- An object to scan
- A large space to rotate around the object you want to scan (or otherwise use a turntable)
- Good lighting (garden, uv lamp…)
Now that you have everything, we can begin.
Download
First, you need to install the Kiri Engine app.
Once done, open the app and watch the quick tutorial, then answer the quiz.
If despite watching the tutorial carefully, you still can’t produce an acceptable scan, read the next section 😀
Tips for the perfect scan
-Put your object on a smooth surface and take pictures every 10° or less. All the areas of the object must be photographed (even the hidden parts)
-The more pictures you take, better the quality will be.
-Do not scan objects that are too bright, the algorithm is having a hard time with these objects.
-Before exporting, check that no picture is blurry or else the full scan will be corrupted.
-If possible, scan an object which has lots of colors. If an object is for example white, you can color it with a marker that you’ll remove after the scan.
-Mistake I often make, your feet should not be seen
-Do not move the object while scanning.
-Don’t change the lighting
Now choose how to export your model. You have different choices: .obj, .stl, .3mf…
FAQ
How to import pictures instead of taking photos?
Importing photos is a premium feature (55euros/year). The premium feature allows more photos to be used and better scan quality.
Do I need to use a special phone model to use Kiri Engine?
Kiri engine works on any smartphone as long as it has a camera and some memory for photos.
My phone supports LIDAR, will LIDAR improve the quality of my scan?
The newer Iphone pros have built-in scanning software that allows you to scan faces to use face ID. However, the algorithm used by Kiri engine is MUCH more powerful than LIDAR. So no, the quality will not be better if your phone supports LIDAR.
What are the differences between the paid version and the free version?
The paid version offers better scan quality thanks to the higher number of photos (200 instead of 70) and better photo quality.
It also allows you to import photos from the camera rather than taking the photos one by one like this from your computer with kiri engine web.
It also offers unlimited exports instead of 3 exports per week.
My best scans:
I hope you have enjoyed this article, do not hesitate to leave a comment if you have any question and see you later!
