Tips & Tricks for Using the Matter and Form 3D Scanner

A Matter and Form THREE combines a camera and a turntable to capture every aspect of a physical object (geometry, color, curves, textures). It takes all that information and turns it into a detailed digital image, which can be used for a variety of purposes.

MachineShark offers quality 3D scanners for sale, and offers these tips for getting the best results.

Introduction

Matter and Form 3D scanners make desktop scanning simple and affordable. They combine a camera and a small turntable to capture every angle and detail of a physical object. Then it turns it into a comprehensive digital image.

These images are used in education settings, design shops, and in manufacturing for “reverse engineering” a product or creating a prototype.

Matter and Form THREE is popular because it’s compact, affordable, and gets the job done. MachineShark is here to break down everything you need to know about what to look for and how to use it.

What is the Matter and Form 3D Scanner?

Image Alt Text: matter and form 3d scanner

This scanner is a compact desktop device that creates a detailed digital image of a physical object, from a piece of jewelry to an industrial component. It combines a special mounted camera on an included tripod that fully scans the object as it rotates on a turntable.

It's an “all-in-one" unit, handling 3D scanning, texturing, and more aspects of the digitizing process without the need for a separate computer. 

It requires very few steps to use, which makes it perfect for hobbyists, educators, designers, and small businesses. 

Getting Started

Unboxing and Setup Checklist

The box will contain the scanner and turntable, USB cable, calibration card, and power supply.

The software is already installed; no need to update drivers or anything else. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and more. Simply connect over WiFi or Ethernet.

Hardware Calibration Tips

• Place the calibration card at 45 degrees versus straight on. This ensures the most reliable results.
• Ensure a vibration-free environment and use a high-contrast background.
• Position the object directly in the center of the turntable; secure it with tape or clay.
• Place the object low enough so that the laser can cover the full structure.

Best Practices for Scanning Objects

Choosing the Right Object

• Ideal materials are solid-colored, opaque, or matte: wood, plaster, matte plastics, or matte metals. Shiny or transparent surfaces reflect the laser.
• A good size is up to 9.8 inches tall and 7 inches in diameter.
• Beginners will do best with smaller items like mechanical parts or small figurines.

Preparing Objects for Scanning

• Ensure the object is clean and matte-finished; use a scanning spray (or a little baby powder) on shiny or metallic objects to keep the laser from reflecting away.
• Check for any loose parts and secure them.
• Keep the object stable with either tape or clay.

Optimal Lighting Conditions

• Diffuse, white light will make the process much more effective, keeping shadows and reflections from interfering with the sensors.
• Avoid intense direct sunlight or high-intensity lights that can confuse the scanner. 
• Optimal light sources include indoor LED, natural light (away from windows), and fluorescent tubes. Keep the lighting consistent to avoid errors.

Tips to Improve Scan Accuracy

Adjusting Resolution

High-resolution is essential for capturing the finest details of an object. It results in cleaner textures. However, high-res takes longer to process and creates larger files.

Alignment and Multiple Scans

• Use high-resolution when scanning close-ups of small or detailed objects. The “low” setting maximizes accuracy on larger objects, and “medium” is a good general placement. 
• Ensure the surfaces are prepared to minimize reflection. Use diffuse, white light (not harsh, bright light). 
• Scan your object from 3-6 different angles to ensure you’ve covered all areas. Use the “merge” function to combine them.

Reducing Noise in Scans

A calibration target is used to help align the sensors. Typically, it’s a high-contrast piece, like a flat card with a geometric pattern that helps the sensor define its positions.

Lower the camera’s “gain” in the software to soften any noise. 

Software Tips & Tricks (Matter and Form)

Navigating the Software Interface

This device is designed to be easy to use, right out of the box.

Key software includes calibration, editing tools to clean up ‘holes” or smooth surface images, alignment, plus saving and exporting the scan for use in a 3rd -party program.

Editing and Cleaning Scans In‑App

After the first scan, there are several easy-to-use tools in the app that clean up your digital project. You can remove extra data “noise”, fill in holes, or smooth out surface areas.

Exporting for 3D Printing or CAD

• Ensure your file has been processed correctly to create a single mesh.
• Choose “export” from the menu. 

-For printing or CAD, choose the Mesh tab.

-Choose the Point Cloud tab for CAD.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Blurry or Incomplete Scans

• Recalibrate frequently with the card centered on the scanning bed
• Improve sharpness by moving the calibration about a half inch closer to the camera.
• Turn off overhead lights; use consistent, ambient light instead.

Surface Artifacts or Noise

• Adjust the Noise Reduction slider. For smooth objects, a higher value works best. For detailed objects, a lower value preserves more features.
• Enable high-contrast scanning on dark or very bright objects.
• Use the software clean-up tools.

Turntable Alignment Issues

• Tighten any mechanical parts (like screws) to improve stability and alignment.
• Re-run the calibration process with the card at a 45-degree angle; laying it flat can create issues.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

• You can create a stop-motion sequence by doing a 1-2 minute scan after each incremental change to the physical object.
• For detailed scanning, use the high-resolution setting. It’s slower, but it’s best for capturing more detail.
• To combine images with other 3D capture tools, use the Save/Export feature with 3rd-party software like MeshLab or Blender.

How to Maintain Your Matter and Form THREE

• Avoid touching the lens with your finger; use a soft cloth to clean it. 
• Keep the turntable free of dust and calibrate it after moving it, changing the lighting, or updating the software.
• Regularly review and upgrade software.
• Keep the scanner in a storage case, away from direct sunlight, to keep it free from moisture and dust.

Recommended Accessories

• Use a mat to ensure a steady grip. A piece of tape or clay can anchor the object.
• Calibration is essential to keep the scans accurate. Always have a clean, functional calibration card.
• Lighting kit. The right lighting makes a difference in the scan. Use ambient light versus direct sunlight or overhead lights.
• Scanning spray. This eliminates reflective surfaces on dark, transparent, or shiny objects.
• Tracking dots. These provide reference points for the scanner.

Conclusion

The beauty of the Matter and Form 3D scanner is that it's capable of creating a beautifully detailed digital image, pretty much right out of the box. These images can be used to reverse engineer an object, create a prototype of a new item, or for creative or educational purposes.

The main things to remember are to use the right lighting (ambient, natural versus direct sunlight), calibrate the scanner regularly for accuracy, and use the correct resolution (high-resolution is optimal for capturing fine details).

The intuitive tools allow for exciting experiments, such as creating stop-motion sequences.

Machine Shark offers Matter and Form 3D scanners, as well as other kinds of 3D scanners.

We invite you to explore these easy-to-use options for creating digital images. It's not the future; see what’s possible right now!