Microscribe

From VMIL Support Encyclopedia

Microscribe-3DX

The Microscribe-3DX is a 3D scanning device connected to Zim. It works by recording the location of the tip of its stylus; by placing the stylus on various points on an object, a user can collect the coordinates of the points and create a 3D model.

[edit] Microscribe Tutorial

This tutorial goes through the steps of creating a 3D model using the microscribe digitizer. The file will be created in Rhino 3D and it can be exported to Maya.

Note: The bold words in parentheses can be typed into the rhino command line as an alternative to using the toolbars - for example, typing DigScale in the Rhino command line and pressing enter is the same as clicking the Set Digitizer Scale button on the 3D Digitizing toolbar.

Set Up Rhino
1. Open rhino and create a new file or open the file you want to work with. Note: if you create a new file Rhino will ask you to choose from a template file. Choose the scale you wish to work with (cm,mm,in,etc...)
2. Bring up the necessary toolbars. Select Tools -> Toolbar Layout...
3. Select the checkbox next to 3-D Digitizing in the Toolbars: list. The toolbar should appear on the screen - close the Toolbars window.
Calibrate the Microscribe
1. If the green power light near the back of the Microscribe is not lit the unit needs to be switched on. Be sure the microscribe is in the "home" position when you power it up (See Microscribe Support for more info).
2. Position the foot pedals so that you can reach them comfortably.
3. Position the microscribe so that the point will reach all surfaces to be digitized and click the Connect Digitizer button on the 3D Digitizing toolbar (Dig).
4. You will now be guided through the microscribe calibration. If the calibration process does not begin automatically, select the second button from the left on the 3D Digitizing toolbar (DigCalibrate).
5. The first request displayed in the command window is Enter origin with digitizer. Place the Microscribe tip at the point in space that you want to set as the origin and press the right foot pedal once. Next, at the Enter x axis with digitizer prompt, select a point with the digitizer away from the origin but on the x-axis and again press the right foot pedal. Do the same for the y axis. The next prompt asks you for an orgin in rhino. You can use the real-world origin you just defined by pressing enter, or select an origin with the mouse.
6. If a scale other than 1:1 is desired, select the 3rd button from the left on the 3D Digitizing toolbar (DigScale) and enter a new scale.
Digitize an Object
1. To Digitize an object Using planar section curves select the 6th button on the 3D Digitizing toolbar (DigSection).
2. You may first be asked to recalibrate the Microscribe. Then a Digitize Options window will pop up and you will be able to define how the input will be stored - as Curves, Closed Curves, Polylines, and Points - as well as the Sketch Spacing or space between points (smaller value = more detail).
3. After clicking OK you will have to use the microscribe to define a plane at one end of your object. Then you will have to define an axis that begins on the plane and runs through the object. The planar sections created in Rhino when you digitize will be parallel to the plane you define and extend along the axis you define.
4. Follow the command line instructions for entering the axes.
5. Now hold the right foot pedal down and run the Microscribe tip along the edges of the object and "color" all surfaces. Release the foot pedal when pausing to move to another surface or to take a break and then push and hold the pedal again to continue. Hint: Frequently releasing the pedal will improve the accuracy of your model, but be sure to have the point on the object the entire time the pedal is depressed.
6. Press Enter when finished digitizing.
7. Save your work.