Preamble
In this article, we will guide you so that you can transform a real object into an optimized 3D model to visualize it in augmented reality thanks to Visuality, without modeling!
In the example above, the Buddha statue on the left served as a model to create the 3D model displayed on the right in augmented reality, without prior modeling!
Please note that this method is not suitable for all types of objects, and some types of objects, particularly those with the most detail, may not achieve optimal rendering and would require traditional 3D modeling.
Capture of your object
To begin, you need to capture the object you want to turn into a 3D model.
You can make two types of captures:
- Photos : You will need to take between 20 and 150 photos of the object. This is generally the mode of capture that provides the best results.
- A video : It should last between 15 seconds and 3 minutes.
To improve the quality of the 3D model, there are some rules to follow:
- The device you use to take photos or video must have a good quality photo/video sensor
- The brightness of the room in which you capture the object must be uniform, sufficiently lit, and without marked contrast
- In the case of photos, make sure to have a good focus to avoid blurry photos, and take photos of the object from all angles
- In the case of a video, move slowly, without sudden movements, around the object, making sure to capture all its details from up close and far away
- You must capture the object by being close enough to capture its details, but also by taking a step back in order to visualize it as a whole
The quality of the 3D model will directly depend on following these rules.
Once the capture is done, you can move on to the next step.
Creating an account on the Polycam platform
Polycam is a platform that allows you to turn an object into a 3D model from a video or photos. It has free features that are more than enough for our needs.
To begin, you will need to create an account. You can use a Gmail/Apple account directly if you have one.
Downloading our capture
Once your account is created, click on the “+ Create capture” button.
In the window that opens, select the "Create a 3D model" option.
A new window will open. Click on ‘Choose from file system’ to retrieve your video or photos.
A preview of your capture is then displayed. Select the detail mode "MEDIUM" and then click on the "Upload & Process" button.
The operation is then in progress and can take between 10 and 40 minutes depending on the size of your object.
Refinement of the 3D model
Once your capture is processed, a preview of your object is displayed:
Before exporting it to import it into Visuality, we will make some edits to it. To start, click on your object to open its editing page.
If the quality is not satisfactory and you used a video, try using photos instead. If you used photos, make sure your camera sensor is powerful enough and make sure you followed the instructions at the beginning of this article.
Your object may not be oriented correctly. To correct this, press the "Rotate" button in the left panel.
Using the colored arrows, orient your object so that it aligns with the grid and faces you, then validate your changes using the "Apply" button and the cross present at the top left.
Once the orientation is set, you will need to crop the 3D model to remove the environment in which the object was scanned.
Click on the "Crop" button, then, using the directional arrows, recenter the blue area around your object. Validate your changes using the "Apply" button, then click on the cross at the top left.
At this stage, you have an object correctly oriented and cropped. Press the "SYNC" button to finish and wait a few minutes for it to be saved.
Export of the 3D model
From the main menu, click on the three dots "..." to open the options menu for your 3D model.
The following options will appear:
Click on the "Export" button. You will arrive at the export menu.
Select "GLTF" then click on the "START DOWNLOAD" button. Your 3D model has been downloaded and can be imported into Visuality!
Importing the 3D model into Visuality
Go to your 3D object library then click on the "Add an Object" button
You will then arrive on the page for adding a 3D model. Fill in the description of your object, place the previously exported .GLB file in the '3D Object' field, and then click on the 'Submit' button.
Congratulations, your 3D model is now ready to be viewed in augmented reality!
Augmented reality visualization
Click on the "View/Share" button. You will arrive at the object shring management page.
To view the object in augmented reality, you have access to two viewers:
Web Viewer: Accessible via a simple URL, you can quickly view your 3D model without prior installation
App Viewer: Accessible via the Android application, this viewer is more suitable for visualizing large 3D models and has a very convenient offline mode if you want to use augmented reality in an area without a network
For each viewer, you can generate a QR code to easily share the model with your clients or integrate it into your website!
Questions? Feel free to contact us by email at contact@visuality.fr!