EinScan SE/SP - The Discovery Pack

This article was created using EXScan-S_v3.0.0.1

The Discovery Pack is an add-on for the EinScan SE and EinScan SP scanners, which equips the scanner with two extra 12 MP 24 bit color depth cameras.

This add-on allows capturing both more details and richer colors.

This article accompanies you to successfully scan with the Discovery Pack, from the add-on installation to obtaining a mesh.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. What will you need?
• 2. Installation Instruction
• 3. Calibration
• 4. Create a project and scan

1. What will you need?

1. An EinScan SE or EinScan SP scanner
2. A tripod. EinScan SP users can use the tripod included in the EinScan SP package. EinScan SE users need to prepare a tripod in advance.
3. The latest software version, which can be downloaded from here.
4. The Discovery Pack.
5. A size 3 Allen key
6. Optional: A lamp house

2. Installation Instruction

1. Take out the Discovery Pack holder and cameras and make sure the cameras are well connected.
   
2. Fasten the tripod holder to the Discovery Pack base.
   
3. Make sure the guides of the holder are oriented perpendicular to the Discovery Pack back panel, like in the following picture:
   
4. Install the Discovery Pack on the tripod.
   
5. Place the EinScan SE or EinScan SP scanner onto the Discovery Pack holder.
   
6. Connect the cable harness as shown below:
   
7. And connect the other end of the harness cable to the PC and to the power adaptor.
8. Connect the USB cable as shown in the figure:
   
9. Connect the turntable cable as shown below:
   
10. Optionally, you can connect the lamp house.
11. Tap the power button of the scanner to turn the device on.
    
12. The scanner and the Discovery Pack should be detected in Windows Device Manager as follows:
    

3. Calibration

1. Launch the EXScan-S software and select your scanner model
   
2. The following window for calibration should pop-up. If not, please click on "Calibration" tab, on the top menu. Select "Discovery Calibration".
   
3. It is time to place the Turntable within the scanner focal distance, which is around 385 mm. Please make sure the distance between the center window from the scanner head and the center of the turntable meets this value.
   
4. Place the the board holder onto the turntable and place the calibration board on its center and facing the scanner.
   
5. A this point, you might probably see the following on your PC:
   The video feed from Left and Right cameras should show a symmetrical view of the calibration board. If that's the case, please skip the two following steps and continue from step 8.
   If the image is asymmetrical, as in the example above, please continue reading.
6. Adjust the cameras angle. To do so, you will need a size 3 Allen key to loose the screw below for each camera.
   
7. Make sure the cross is projected on the center of the calibration board and move both cameras until you see a symmetrical view of the calibration board. Then fasten the screws to fix the cameras.
   
8. If video from Left and Right cameras show a symmetrical image, you can start calibrating:
   
9. Finally, adjust the white balance. You should obtain a real color white on the White Balance result window:
   
   
   

4. Create a project and scan

1. You can decide whether or not using the turntable for scanning. In this example, we make us of it.
2. After having calibrated the scanner, select "Discovery Scan":'
   
3. Place the object to be scanned in front of the scanner and adjust its position to the focal distance, which is around 385 mm. Adjust the scanner angle if necessary:
   
   An easy yet effective way to tell whether or not the object is placed within the focal distance by observing the projected cross on the object surface.
   If the object is out of focus, either too closer or too far, the cross will appear blurry.
   If the object is within the focal distance, the cross will be seen sharp.
   
4. Everything is set up and we are good to set our scan settings and start capturing high detail and rich color data.
5. First, adjust the brightness until you see the real colors on the video feed. Doing some tests before scanning is advised.
   
6. Afterwards, set the scanning settings. In this case, we are using the turntable with 8 steps. Since the part is rich in geometry, we select Features for the align mode.
   
7. At this point, we can start scanning. After Feature verification, the data starts to appear on the screen:
   It might be possible that, as in the example above, textures are too dark.
   In this case, it is recommended to discard the scan, adjust the brightness and retry.
   However, we seize this opportunity to show you how to adjust the brightness after having obtained a mesh. Please see below.
8. You can continue scanning as much as desired.
   Keep scanning with the same settings or create new projects.
   In this case, we are satisfied with the current  result and we proceed to mesh a unwatertight mesh.
9. Once the software has meshed the data, we can adjust the texture brightness and contrast.
   When you are satisfied with the result, save the mesh in the desired format.