3D print questions

[Fin Lover]

I know nothing about 3D printing (and don't have a 3D printer) so I was hoping some of you could answer some questions I have.  

 

I would love to have a model of the Pelagornis dentary I found made, since I donated it (and it was my first donation).  Would someone who knows what they are doing be able to create and print a decent model based on just some cell phone pictures, measurements, etc. or would I need to find a way to scan it?  It's not in my possession, but I'm sure I could visit it at some point to take some pictures or video. 

 

How much work/time would be involved in that?  It's approximately 4 inches long, so nothing massive.  I would gladly paint it myself.

 

Thanks for the input!  Just trying to figure out how big of a task this would be.

 

[Fossildude19]

I believe it is a matter of taking really good pictures (stacked images) of all different angles of the item, then, putting them together in a software program to create a 3-D model.

I'm really not sure how long that would take.

 

LINK

[Fin Lover]

Thanks, Tim.  I Googled it some previously but saw different answers (Lidar scanning vs. photos, etc.) and didn't know in practice what really works.  From what I've seen on the forum, not everything prints well (having to "beef up" thin parts, etc.). I may just have to print and display a photo of it.  

[Fin Lover]

My husband's friend recommended the Polycam phone app and said that if I can get a good scan, he can print it for me.  If anyone has a better recommendation or anything else I need to take into account, please let me know.  Thanks so much!

[SPrice]

Lots of options out there as you're already exploring. Here's some ideas if you haven't considered these, yet.

 

Buy a 3d scanner- not the best option unless you're into 3d printing.

 

Rent a 3D scanner - where scanners are sold also might have rentals.  Like Staples!

 

3D scanning services such as:

 

South Carolina has many places that offer 3D scanning services, including:

GPRS

A leading provider of 3D laser scanning services, including 2D drawings, 3D BIM models, and precise point cloud data

TPM

A leader in 3D part scanning in the Southeast, using Artec 3D scanners to capture data points

Xometry

Offers 3D printing services, including Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Capture 3D

Provides high-tech 3D measurement solution

 

IF you have access to your fossil...borrow it back and take it somewhere to get scanned and printed. 

 

Have the current owners get it scanned for you and email you the file. 

 

 

Steve

 

[Misha]

Unless you're going to get access to specialized scanning equipment, the best and easiest way to do this would be photogrammetry. This involves placing the fossil in a good position that would allow you to view most of it from various angles, and taking many photos from all different angles around it without moving the fossil itself, then use a special software that automatically compiles the photos into a 3d model. This is pretty easy, there are very good tutorials for this online. I've personally used 3DF Zephyr and it works very well.

 

To print the fossil, due to its size I'd recommend a resin printer since they have much better resolution, something like SLA or DLP, these are available through online services or you may be able to find someone with such a machine.

You could probably print this on a more traditional FDM printer, but it won't be very detailed for this size. The only option with those would be to scale it up to get a better quality print.

[ftlcgi]

You could photoscan the model and get a decent quality but it's important to take good photos, watch a tutorial first, or you won't get good results,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTxEvr6r804

The result 3d model needs to be edited to fill holes and delete bad geometry and make it more printer friendly

 

You can print this model, email it to a 3d printing studio, there are plenty in every city, just search "3d printing service" on google maps

Pelagornis dentary.stl

 

The model is made to be printed as 4 inch long but you should mention it when you send it

 

i'm not that good with 3d sculpting, but i took this model and shaped it a bit

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/pelagornis-chilensis-rama-mandibular-izquierda-ac68b6110f45498fbf555d835873090e

 

Edited May 16 by ftlcgi

[Fin Lover]

@ftlcgi, thank you so much!  I can't open the file...I assume people with the software can?  

[ftlcgi]

you can drag and drop it on this page to view it

https://3dviewer.net/

[jpc]

photogrammetry is the way to go, but it is not easy or quick.  I have seen that there are now apps for pocket computers that make nice 3d scans. 

 

You say you donated it... try working with the museum where it now sits.  They might have someone there who is proficient in this new art form.   And legally, even though you are the donor, you need to get their permission to make a copy of it.  As 2d printing is a burgeoning field, it is changing faster than laws can change, this is the way it sits now, as I understand it (and I work in a museum).  

Edited May 16 by jpc

[Fin Lover]

@jpc, thanks.  It went to the Charleston Center for Paleontology, which is a very small new non-profit, so I don't think they currently have anyone who could assist with this.  I will definitely get their permission before I get it printed.  I would have anyways, but I didn't think about it being a legal requirement, so thanks for the information!

[ftlcgi]

A 3d printing service studio where i printed some things had an expensive 3d scanner that was mobile maybe you can find something similar, it going to cost you more but a professional can give you great results

[Mahnmut]

Hi,

I do not think that a 3d scanner is necessary, as the object in question has a relatively simple shape (unlike a complete skull or skeleton for example.)

I have achieved good results with 40-100 photos and a photogrammetry program that cost me about a 100 bugs some years ago, maybe there are better things or equal free ones today.

If of course the institution where it is now does digitalization they will  likely have better equipment than us private people.

Quality and placing of the photos (more detailed parts of the object like foramina need more photos) are essential. No neutral background, because the background helps to orient the pics.

The Photos do not need much more detail than the print will have, so seeing a micron is not necessary. Very big pictures do need much more calculation time, but making them smaller is always possible.

Here you can see how it works:

As others said, having it printed will be easy locally, if not exactly cheap depending on size.

Having a traditional cast made could be another option with high quality, @LabRatKing may know more about that.

Best regards,

J

 

Edited May 17 by Mahnmut
vocabulary

[ftlcgi]

2 hours ago, Mahnmut said:

maybe there are better things or equal free ones today.

I use Agisoft Metashape but it took a while untill i got good results,

A model like that dentary should be easy if you practice a bit with some fossils you have at home

 

You can try Meshroom, it's free

https://alicevision.org/#meshroom

[Mahnmut]

Agisoft is what I also use!

If you can get the right photos, I think I could make you a model.

@ftlcgi, that model you made, is that a sculpt after the picture?

Best regards,

J

 

[ftlcgi]

i imported this model in blender, cut it to shize and shaped it to fit the one in the picture

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/pelagornis-chilensis-rama-mandibular-izquierda-ac68b6110f45498fbf555d835873090e

 

[Fin Lover]

I know there is a Pelagornis sandersi model on Sketchfab, it just looks like that fossil had more breaks/pieces than the P. chilensis.

 

My husband has informed me that he has a contact here that owes him a 3D print, so I just need to make sure I get good pictures/make a good model.