Using the Software¶
Getting Started
By default the FabScanPi server binds to all interfaces on port 8080. Pointing your browser to http://ip-of-your-raspberry-pi:8080 will open the user interface.
If your FabScanPi has access to the internet an information window with the latest project news will pop-up. You can close it by left-clicking on the black x in the upper right corner of the grey info window. If there is a new software version available you will see a note in the upper left corner:
First start-up¶
Before you proceed with the calibration and your first scan please check a few things to ensure your FabScanPi is working properly:
- Click on the duck icon (New Scan) to enter the scan menu.
- Now the turntable should turn clockwise in a constant smooth manner.
- The laser must be on and needs to be adjusted vertically and to cross the center of the turntable. You will have to do the adjustment by hand because the servo / stepper support for the laser has not been implemented yet.
- Check if you can see a small video preview in the lower left corner of the scan menu. Maybe there is only a turning hour glass visible. That is a known problem of some browsers but will have not effect the scanner’s function.
- Click on the X (Cancel) to get back to the main menu.
Settings¶
Note
The current settings are only persistent as long as the pi is up and running. The settings are saved with the scan data after a successful scan. They can be loaded to scan another object with the same settings. E.g. an object what consists of the same material, color etc.
- Click on the duckling-symbol to open the scan menu.
- The threshold-slider (6) can be used to adjust the sensitivity of the captured data. Select the scan quality by using the other slider (7).
Note
The better the scan the longer is the required capture time. Sometimes it is better to start with a low resolution to control the selected settings result. If the result is nice you can perform a higher resolution scan with the same settings.
By clicking on the contrast-icon (3) you will get access to the camera settings menu. For adjusting the camera presets three sliders for saturation, brightness and contrast are available.
Click on the light-symbol (4) to get access to the lighting menu.
Here you can use the sliders to change the brightness and color of the (optional) light source. When all three sliders are at the very left end the light is off. Watch the preview in the lower left corner of the menu.
Note
The setting in the lighting menu will only cause an effect if an optional WS2812-compatible light source (e.g. Adafruit NeoPixel LED-Ring or FabScanPi-Camera-Holder) is installed. Click on the arrows-and-circle symbol (5) to get access to the alignment menu.
Perform a San¶
Scan with Color (slower)¶
- Make sure your FabScanPi is switched on, an object is placed on the turntable and the lid / the optional laser safety switch is closed.
- Open the web-interface as described in chapter [Getting Started](#gettingStarted).
- Click on the duckling-symbol to open the scan menu.
Note
If you do not have installed a light source you should perform a [monochrome scan](#monochromeScan).
- Adjust the scan preset values to your needs as described in chapter [Presets](#presets).
- Click on .Start Scan. to initiate the process A starting message will be displayed. Now the texture will be processed.
The latest photo will be displayed during the capturing process.
When the texture has been captured (progress bar at 50 percent) the actual scan is initiated. A notification is displayed.
A notification will be displayed when the scan is completed / file is saved.
- You can now check, download or delete the scan-data.
Scan without Color (faster)¶
- Make sure your FabScanPi is switched on, an object is placed on the turntable and the lid / the optional laser safety switch is closed.
- Open the web-interface as described in chapter [Getting Started](#gettingStarted).
- Click on the duckling-symbol to open the scan menu.
- Adjust the scan preset values to your needs as described in chapter [Presets](#presets).
- Uncheck the color-scan option (8)
- Click on .Start Scan. to initiate the process A starting message will be displayed and the scan process is started.
When the scan is completed / file is saved a notification will be displayed.
- You can now check, download or delete the scan-data.
Generate Mesh¶
The FabScanPi software includes a feature to convert a scan into a mesh-file. This mesh-file can be used for 3D-printing.
Note
To generate a mesh-file a scan must have been performed. It is also possible to load a scan-file which has been saved previously.
- Click on the options icon to open the options menu.
- The options menu will open and you can see the index card of the loaded file.
- Click on the magic wand icon to open the menu for the MeshLab filter.
- Now select one of the Meshlab filters and the file format for the future mesh file.
- Click on “Start Meshing” to activate the conversion process.
The conversion starts and the main menu appears. A notification is displayed as well.
Note
Depending on the size and complexity of the scan file as well as the type of selected filter the conversion process may take some time.
When the mesh-file is available a notification is displayed.
- Again open the options menu. Another index card for the mesh-file has been added.
- Click on the mesh-file index card.
- You can now click on the download-icon to download the mesh-file to your computer or click on the trashbasket icon to delete the mesh-file.
File Operations¶
- Load files
A scan result which has been saved to the FabScanPi memory previously can be reloaded. Go to the main menu and click on the folder-icon at the left side of the menu bar.
- Scroll through the displayed file inventory and click on the icon of the wanted file.
Now the selected file will be loaded which may need some time. After the loading process is finished a notification will be displayed.
Delete a Scan¶
- Delete files
Delete a scan-file
A scan result which has been saved to the FabScanPi memory previously can be deleted. To do that it must be loaded and displayed on the virtual turntable in the main menu. -Click on the options-icon on the right side of the menu bar.
Click on the wastebasket-icon to delete the scan-file.
Note
By deleting a scan file the corresponding mesh file (if available) will be deleted instantly.
Delete a mesh-file
Note: If a mesh file is available a second slide for the mesh file will be displayed.
By selecting the mesh slide and clicking on the wastebasket-icon the mesh-file can be deleted separately.
- Download Files It is possible to download generated files (either scan- or mesh-files) from the FabScanPi via the web-based user interface.
Download Results¶
Download a scan-file
Note: Before you can download a file it must be [loaded](#loadFiles) and displayed on the virtual turntable in the main menu.
- Go to the main menu.
- Click on the options-icon on the right side of the menu bar.
- Click on the download-icon to download the mesh-file
- A download message (depending on the used web-browser) will be displayed
Download a mesh-file
Note: If a mesh file is available a second slide for the mesh file will be displayed.
- Select the mesh slide
- Click on the download-icon to download the mesh-file
- A download message (depending on the used web-browser) will be displayed