Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: photographs and obtain 3d images.

rawen2 wrote:

> Here are links to a couple of programs that can import digital
> photographs or scanned images and convert them to g-code for
> engraving:

I think the original poster wanted real 3-D surfaces from photos, not
engravings. That is harder. I had an idea for a turnkey business.
You take photos with digital cameras mounted to the wall of a 'booth',
process the data, and cut a bust of the person while they shop in the
mall. 1 hour later, they can pick up their carved bust. I talked to
a number of companies that did the 3-D reconstruction, and they all
said that is was not easy. One company that had a beautiful bust
on their web pages said a VERY highly skilled cad/cam operator
spent 8 hours marking key points on the ** 12 ** photos they needed
to get the entire detail before their program could handle it. They also
admitted the hair was just totally fudged.

The other companies pretty much said their programs were for architectural
work only.

A 3-D laser scanner would make this easier, but these machines are
not likely to be eye-safe, and are pretty expensive, although coming down.

Jon