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How to Capture an Object

Wyatt Roy
Updated

This step-by-step guide will show you how to use Polycam to make 3D scans of small objects. 

For best results, you'll need:

  1. 📱Polycam App 
  2. Small turn table
  3. 🏴 Solid gray or black background
  4. 🪟 Controlled lighting: you'll want your object to be evenly lit from all sides with no visible shadows. 

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🤳 Steps to Capture an Object with Polycam

  1. Open the Polycam App 
  2. Tap the Camera icon on the bottom right to get started IMG_1667.PNG.png
  3. Put the object on a turntable.
    ☝️Pro Tip: Ideally, the turntable should be in front of a gray or black background. Make a note of which side of the object is facing you.
  4. Clean your lens and ensure your subject looks sharp.
    ☝️Pro Tip: Your subject will need to be in focus on all images. Avoid a hazy lens:
    IMG_1643.PNG.png

  5. Tap Auto
    IMG_1644 auto.PNG.png

  6. Tap the shutter to begin taking photos. 
    ☝️Pro Tip: When using Auto mode, photos are only taken when the camera moves, so ensure you are always slowly moving it up and down. 
    IMG_1644 start.PNG.png
  7. Rotate the turntable slowly.
    IMG_1646.PNG.png
  8. Move the phone up and down as you rotate to ensure you get photos from all angles. 
    IMG_1647.PNG.png
  9. Spin the turntable 360° and then go an extra 10° to overlap photos with where you started.
  10. Pause capture by tapping the shutter button.
  11. Flip the object, making sure it doesn’t squish or change shape.
    ☝️Pro Tip: When you turn the object upside down, make sure it keeps its form (stuff it with a sock)
    IMG_1658.PNG.png
  12. Again, spin the turntable 360° slowly, moving the phone up and down.
    IMG_1659.PNG.png
  13. Once you have gotten enough images, tap the shutter to stop capturing photos. Then tap DONE. ☝️Pro tip: This capture has 121 images—the more detail you record, the higher quality your capture will be. 
    IMG_1659.PNG (1).png
  14. Upload your photos, and make sure Photogrammetry mode is selected.
    IMG_1660 phooto.PNG.png
  15. Tap “Full” detail and “Use Object Masking” (this will cut out the object from the background for you)
    IMG_1663 resolution.PNG.png
  16. Tap UPLOAD & PROCESS
    IMG_1663 up.PNG.png
  17. You must keep this screen open while your photos are uploading. Don’t change apps or let your phone screen turn off.
    IMG_1664.PNG.png
  18. Once all the photos have been uploaded, you can leave this screen and wait for Polycam to do its magic!
    IMG_1665.PNG.png
  19. When your scan is ready, it will appear in your Library.

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