How to Clean Up 3D Scans in Blender with Simple Steps

3D scanners and photogrammetry tools are essential for creating digital twins of objects, from existing technology to small trinkets. Although 3D scanning has become more accessible for hobbyists, many still rely on photogrammetry, which can produce scans that require modifications for their intended use. Even with a 3D scanner, poor conditions like bad lighting, fog, or busy backgrounds—such as scanning a statue in front of a crowded museum—can affect scan quality.

Sometimes, modifications are necessary to adjust the scan for design purposes, like altering features for better printability. Most scanning methods export scans as meshes, and Blender—a free, open-source 3D modeling tool—offers a robust solution for editing the mesh, color, and form of 3D scans.

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Taking high-quality 3D scans is far easier than fixing low-quality ones. For instance, if a scan misses the underside of an object, you might spend hours manually reconstructing that section in post-processing. Ultimately, starting with a great scan saves time and effort, reducing the need for extensive edits in Blender. To avoid common scanning issues, it’s crucial to understand the tools used for 3D scanning. By mastering the equipment and techniques, you can minimize errors and create scans that require minimal post-processing, leading to better results with less frustration.

Scanning Technologies Scanning technologies range from free options to expensive ones costing tens of thousands of dollars. Small-scale 3D scanner users typically choose between image-based photogrammetry, lidar or photogrammetry-based scanning apps, or budget-friendly and DIY 3D scanners, depending on their needs and budget constraints.

Image-Based Photogrammetry Tools Desktop programs process photo or video data of an object to calculate the 3D positions of scene components, using images taken from various perspectives. To achieve the best results, high-quality photos or videos of the scanned object are needed, captured with a camera or another suitable device for accurate uploads.

Mobile Phone Scanning Apps Numerous iOS and Android apps use the phone’s camera or lidar to create 3D scans, effectively turning the phone into a 3D scanner. Phones with lidar sensors and lidar-based apps offer greater accuracy than photogrammetry. However, most apps rely on photogrammetric methods, matching the quality of computer-based tools but with a smoother user experience.

Dedicated 3D Scanners Affordable 3D scanners, like the Creality Scan Ferret, or DIY solutions are designed specifically for scanning objects of various sizes and types. While a dedicated 3D scanner represents a significant investment for most makers, it generally produces superior results compared to mobile phones or open-source photogrammetry software, often reducing the need for extensive post-processing. These purpose-built tools provide more accurate and reliable scans, making them ideal for high-quality 3D modeling.

What Can Go Wrong with a 3D Scan

All 3D scanning technologies have the potential to produce high-quality, complete scans of objects. However, various artefacts can sometimes appear in scans. By following careful scanning practices, you can minimize or even eliminate these issues. To ensure the best results and reduce the time spent correcting errors in Blender, it's essential to understand and avoid common scanning artefacts. Here’s a guide on how to prevent these issues and achieve cleaner, more accurate scans from the outset, saving you time and effort in post-processing.

Inclusions/exclusions: With photogrammetry, scans may include unwanted objects or miss parts of the target. This often results from insufficient scanning time or inadequate coverage from various angles and positions.

Color inconsistencies: Photogrammetric methods can capture accurate color if lighting is adequate. For best results, scan outdoors on a cloudy day, as recommended by the now-retired iOS app Trnio. Cloudy weather diffuses sunlight, providing even lighting that minimizes shadows and enhances color accuracy.

Lack of detail: If a 3D scan lacks detail, it’s typically due to insufficient scanning time or coverage. To improve detail, extend the scanning duration, capture more angles, or increase the number of photos if using photogrammetry software.

Step 1: Importing the Scan

Once the 3D scanning software generates your scan, it may be ready for use as-is. Simply download it in your preferred file format and proceed with your project.

However, if modifications are needed, blender sculpting is a versatile tool that can clean up the mesh, form, and color all within one application. You can download and install Blender’s latest version quickly.

Importing your scan into Blender is straightforward. Different file types are better suited for different types of scans. For full-color scans, exporting as an OBJ file is ideal, as it retains all color details. For monochromatic scans, an STL file is recommended, as it lacks color information and thus uses less memory.

After downloading these files to your file explorer, import them into blender sculpting by selecting the “Import” option under the “File” tab. This process allows you to edit and refine your scan efficiently within Blender.

Step 2: Cleaning Up the Mesh

Mesh errors are a common issue in 3D scans, particularly because photogrammetry software and 3D scanners often fail to capture the underside of objects, like the sole of a shoe or the base of a planter. These gaps, along with other non-manifold features such as edges or faces that don’t connect properly, often require mesh modification. Non-manifold geometries are those that cannot exist in reality, such as parts without thickness or disconnected edges.

Blender sculpting offers a comprehensive toolset for addressing mesh issues. To fix non-manifold geometry, first, ensure you are in Edit Mode with no elements selected. Go to “Select > Select All by Trait > Non-Manifold” from the top menu bar. This will highlight all non-manifold edges, making it easier to identify problem areas. If Blender sculpting doesn’t highlight any edges, your mesh is already manifold and no further action is needed.

For selected non-manifold areas, deselect all but one and press ‘F’ to fill the gap with a new surface. Use the selection tools to work with vertices, edges, or faces, and repeat this process for all problematic areas to create a solid, printable mesh.

For issues with single lines or points, switch to the “Modeling” tab. Utilize the mesh tools to manipulate vertices, edges, or faces to correct out-of-place points. Extrude regions or insert faces as needed. Be cautious, as deleting parts of the mesh may create new non-manifold areas that will also need fixing.

For a detailed guide on mesh editing in Blender, refer to this article.

Step 3: Cleaning Up the Form

After addressing individual mesh issues, you can use mesh sculpting to refine the form of the 3D scan, similar to sculpting clay. Blender sculpting provides various mesh sculpting tools accessible from the “Sculpting” menu on the ribbon bar. These tools allow you to correct areas where the scan was inaccurately shaped or adjust the scan for its intended use. Here are some useful sculpting tools for cleaning up scans:

Smooth : Located as the first red-highlighted sculpting tool in the menu, this tool helps to smooth out inclusions in the scan. Use it carefully to avoid removing important details. If you make a mistake, use “Ctrl + Z” to undo. Blob : The second-last blue tool pushes vertices outward to create spherical curvatures, useful for correcting round parts of a scan that weren’t captured accurately. Pinch : The first yellow tool in the sculpting menu, it accentuates boundaries between parts of a scan. For instance, if raised letters on a jacket aren’t clearly visible, use the Pinch tool to trace their edges, creating creases that enhance small features. Simplify : Positioned below the purple “Cloth” feature, this tool reduces file size by decreasing polygon count in areas where excessive detail isn’t necessary. This is particularly useful for scans with high detail where it’s not needed, improving performance and ease of storage. Sculpting tools are essential for fixing inclusions and exclusions in 3D scans caused by movement, such as a person turning their head during a photogrammetry scan. The Blob tool can build missing features, Clay tool can even out surfaces, and Pinch tool can refine shapes.

Remember, sculpting tools affect multiple mesh triangles at once, which can blur sharp features. To preserve these details, use mesh editing tools to adjust individual edges and vertices. For instance, the “Blob” tool might smooth out eyes, which can be corrected using mesh editing techniques.

Step 4: Cleaning Up the Color

For full-color scans, sculpting tools can sometimes cause unintended color distortions, and color artifacts from scanning may necessitate additional color editing. Monochromatic scans, however, can be easily colored with multiple hues for multicolor printing.

Photogrammetry software often applies background colors to the scanned object, which can be corrected using Texture Painting. This process involves “unwrapping” the mesh into a flat surface, painting on it like in MS Paint, and then “rewrapping” it back onto the object. Blender Guru’s Blender Donut tutorial is a great resource for learning this technique. While Texture Painting is advanced, it effectively addresses minor color issues in a 3D scan.

Blender also offers UV mapping to add or extract textures. This feature applies a pre-built image onto a monochromatic scan or extracts color maps from full-color scans. UV mapping is useful for adding patterns or logos to a scan, similar to applying a Minecraft skin to a character.

Conclusion Starting with a high-quality 3D scan significantly reduces post-processing time in Blender. By mastering scanning techniques and using tools effectively, you can create accurate and detailed digital twins with ease. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, these tips help streamline the process and enhance your 3D modeling projects.

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How to Clean Up 3D Scans in Blender with Simple Steps

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