Ref: Free laser scanner software

> It's hard to say what accuracy as I haven't actually measured it !
>
> that sounds a bit odd, but I only progressed far enough to know that I
> could get a scan and that it was reasonably true, (not distorted) as
> the rest is just scaling.

That's good. A lot of cameras have a fish eye effect which can really mess
things up. Sounds like the apps you are using can already correct for it,
there are a few very good articles on the net for the same thing (mostly with
intel's image recognition libraries). I can dig up links to them if anyone
needs them.

> Th main use to which I will be putting it is the scanning of existing
> motorcycle parts in order for me to make parts that will fit on to them.

Even better :) What kind of bikes? I got hooked on old 2 stroke kawasaki
triples but have worked on a lot of modern stuff too, including the new
bimotas. If anyone is passing a dealers nip in and have a look at one, the
silly expensive ones would almost be worth the price just to put in the house
as a work of engineering art.

> So far I haven't used the technique in anger (eg actually use a scan
> to make a part that has reached market) but I now know that I can..
> if that makes sense.
>
> The biggest problems I had were getting a good laser line and coming
> up with a non-reflective coating for chrome parts...

Ouch.

> I bought a licence this software so that I could use the fusion stuff,
> and I also downloaded Meshlab for manipulating the scans and bought a
> licence for Meshcam for generating toolpaths off them.
>
> It all hangs togetther, just need time
>
> Chris

Another thing that could be trouble, webcams are mostly around 640x480 so all
the vertical resolution you will get is 480 at best. There are a few software
tricks to improve the res with shades and the rotating will help a lot if the
software can get averages. The software should also be able to work with
still's so a cheap digital camera should give at least 3 times higher res.
Let us know how you get on with it, its impressive stuff :)
cheers