Feb 29, 2016 | By Benedict
VRscans, a newly unveiled scanning technology from Chaos Group, can be used to create digital replicas of physical material with sub-mm precision. Material samples can be sent to Chaos Group, which will scan the material and transform it into a digital format for 3D rendering.
In what could prove to be important news for 3D enthusiasts across a number of fields, Chaos Group unveiled its new material scanning technology last week, promising to deliver unparalleled accuracy in 3D material reproduction. The Bulgarian rendering specialist’s VRscans technology can be used to recreate fabrics, leathers, metals, woods, textiles, paints etc., helping companies and individuals to create photorealistic digital prototypes of their products. The technology could be used to create 3D renderings of furniture, fashion, architectural structures, and much more.
“We’ve dedicated the last 19 years to advancing rendering technology, so designers can trust what they see on their screen,” said Peter Mitev, CEO at Chaos Group. “Now they can match the material sample in their hand with the one in their 3D model.”
Material examples: Photo on left, VRscan 3D rendering on right
According to Chaos Group, its VRscans process is able to deliver the most accurate digital 3D representations of physical materials available to the consumer market. Moreover, use of the service allows companies to completely sidestep the time-consuming process of approximately representing complex surface textures. Parties can instead send a physical sample via post to Chaos Group, which will scan the material, process it, and turn it into a .vrscan file to be rendered in V-Ray, Chaos Group’s popular lighting and rendering software.
“VRscans materials are superior to standard BRDF approximations such as Blinn, Ward, and GGX,” Chaos Group claims on its dedicated VRscans website. “Instead of BRDF, VRscans implements BTF (bidirectional texture functions) to completely capture a material's true surface appearance, texture data, and unique response to light.”
VRscans represents the fruits of several years of hard labor in the Chaos Group camp. By combining precise optical hardware with proprietary software, the new 3D scanning technology is able to capture a material’s exact appearance, including its surface texture, reflectivity, dimensionality, and unique response to light. The replica 3D materials can be rendered from any angle, in any lighting condition. This level of accuracy makes the process ideal for 3D rendering precise replicas of physical objects with complex or unusual surface textures.
"Several pilot projects are already underway with top automotive, aerospace, and furniture companies,” said Dinko Dimitrov, VRscans Product Manager. “Digital prototypes are the best way to design quickly. Now designers can do it with confidence.”
VRscans is compatible with the latest versions of V-Ray for 3ds Max and Maya, and work is currently underway to integrate the technology into other 3D design platforms. Chaos Group anticipates the technology being used in the automotive, aerospace, architecture, interior design, product design, media & entertainment, furniture design, and materials & manufacturing industries.
Posted in 3D Scanning
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