【3D Scanning Applications】How can various industries perfectly utilize 3D full-body scanning? 5 trend cases at a glance
What is human body 3D scanning?
Human body 3D scanning can capture the entire human body, or only specific parts, and generate highly detailed 3D image data or models in seconds.
Depending on the desired application and the 3D human body scanner used, the 3D model can present color and texture to perfectly match the original human body. It can also be just a mesh, a cloud of points that form the shape of the human body.
Originally developed for the apparel industry, 3D human body scanners have greatly improved our ability to accurately measure and visualize human dimensions, shapes, and skin surface areas. Recent advancements in full-body scanning have opened up new potential for medical applications.
What are the benefits of 3D human body scanning?
3D human body scanning is the perfect technology for capturing the entire human body or specific parts. Compared to traditional body imaging and measurement techniques, 3D human body scanning offers many advantages.
Non-invasive
3D human body scanning is a completely non-invasive process. For handheld 3D scanners, the operator moves the device around the target object while maintaining a certain distance, without direct contact with the scanned object.
Fast
When using a portable 3D scanner, the process can take several minutes, requiring the scanned object to remain completely still.
Accurate
3D human body scanners are highly accurate tools, often with high resolution, to generate highly detailed 3D models. They can detect things imperceptible to the human eye, making these 3D scanners very valuable in many situations.
Two main technologies of 3D scanning
．Photogrammetry: This is a fast 3D capture process that involves taking many photos of an object from different angles, and then processing them algorithmically to "stitch" them together and generate a 3D model. Photogrammetry technology provides high-quality, colored, and textured body scans.
．Structured light: A series of linear light patterns are projected onto the object. The 3D scanner then uses triangulation to generate an accurate 3D model. This 3D scanning technology is very precise but requires the scanned object to be very still.
The above two technologies can also be used in combination.
Some manufacturers have launched their handheld 3D scanners specifically for body scanning applications, offering more flexibility, unlike 3D scanning booths, they can be carried around and perform body scans on the scanned object. For example, SHINING 3D's EinScan HX.
5 trending applications of 3D human body scanning
3D human body scanning can be applied in multiple fields. Among them, the most common applications include:
-Medical and Healthcare-
In the medical field, there are many body scanning applications, from monitoring a patient's body shape to identify potential problems, to capturing highly detailed 3D models of disabled limbs and other body parts for custom prosthetics. 3D human body scanning can also help monitor the speed of burn recovery by capturing damaged skin, identifying burned tissue, and measuring the area through color and texture 3D scanning to track progress.
-3D Portraits-
Also known as 3D selfies or 3D figurines, 3D portraits are miniature statues of real people. They are typically 3D models obtained using full-body 3D scanners, often requiring a full-color 3D printer to achieve.-Fitness and Body Monitoring-
3D human body scanners are used in fitness to track a person's progress through various body measurements, body shape indicators, posture analysis, and more.
-Fashion and Apparel-
The fashion industry is starting to use 3D human body scanners to capture precise body dimensions for custom apparel.
In retail, 3D human body scanning unlocks new potential for virtual fitting rooms, where customers can easily try on new clothes using 3D avatars based on accurate body dimensions.
-Creating Virtual Avatars-
3D human body scanning and 3D face scanning can be used in the entertainment industry to create realistic avatars, for example, for use in video games.
Medical and Healthcare Applications
3D body scanning is increasingly being used in the medical field. Because they capture the 3D shape of the human body in a non-invasive and fast way, there are four main applications:
Epidemiology
This is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in specific populations. 3D body scanning can be used for anthropometric surveys. For example, studies can be conducted on the evolution of childhood obesity. Full-body 3D scanning is ideal for capturing many individuals in a short time, which can provide a meaningful sample for research.
Diagnosis
3D body scanning can help doctors make diagnoses. In this case, 3D scanning is mainly used to treat skin-related problems (burns, diseases, infections, wrinkles, etc.) and to detect deformities by analyzing the patient's body captured in 3D.
3D handheld body scanner used in the medical industry. Source:THE CREAFORM HEALTH CARE
Treatment
For burn patients, 3D body scanning can be a matter of life and death. To provide the correct amount of medication to patients, the burned skin area needs to be precisely calculated. Indeed, the amount of medication to be delivered depends on the surface area of the skin; if the amount of medication is not accurately measured, the patient may suffer serious complications.
High-precision 3D body scanners or handheld 3D scanners can help accurately measure damaged skin surfaces.
Monitoring
Full-body 3D scanners can help monitor changes in a patient's body (shape, composition, etc.), for example, during a diet or pregnancy. Body scanners are new tools that allow doctors and practitioners to better track changes in patient body metrics, thereby providing more accurate diagnoses and recommendations.
3D Printed Prosthetics
Prosthetics are ideal for 3D printing because they are mainly made of plastic and need to be custom-made to perfectly fit the patient. There are many open-source prosthetic 3D models, developed by major 3D printing brand community platforms, volunteer designers, and researchers, who collaborate to provide more affordable and well-fitting prosthetics for children who need regular upgrades as they grow.
How does 3D scanning help create 3D printed prosthetics?
To make a 3D printed prosthetic perfectly fit the patient's limb, the first step is to 3D scan the area where the prosthetic will connect.
Using the generated 3D model, the 3D design of the prosthetic can be adjusted to accurately match the shape of the residual limb, making the prosthetic more comfortable, durable, and high-performing.
Custom-made 3D printed prosthesis. Source: Medical Tourism India
3D Printed Figurines and 3D Selfie Applications
3D figurines, also known as 3D selfies or 3D portraits, are miniature 3D printed models representing a person. Some call it 3D photography.
With improvements in 3D scanning and 3D printing technology, it is now possible to create such precise 3D printed figurines that are perfect as gifts or souvenirs for important life events.
Creating a 3D portrait requires two steps:
1. Full-body 3D scan of a person
First, the person must be 3D scanned using a full-body scanner capable of capturing color and texture to produce a highly detailed, colored 3D model file of the person.
2. Printing the model
Some 3D printers are capable of 3D printing in color (they are called full-color 3D printers), but they are usually quite expensive and more complex to operate.
This is why most 3D portrait businesses turn to 3D printing service providers specializing in full-color 3D printing. The 3D model is sent to a 3D printing service, which prints it and ships it to the end customer.
3D selfies are excellent gifts and perfect souvenirs for special occasions (e.g., weddings, graduations, etc.).
Fitness Industry Applications
Using 3D full-body scanning for body measurements and fitness tracking
The American company Fit3D developed the Proscanner, which is specifically designed for fitness tracking and comprehensive monitoring of human body data. The full-body scanner can capture thousands of data points of the human body, providing personalized reports and tracking. Body scanners are becoming increasingly popular in gyms and fitness centers, and can even be used at home like a personal trainer.
It combines the extreme precision of 3D full-body scanners with 3D imaging capabilities to help fitness enthusiasts track their progress and achieve their goals (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.). The Proscanner can also provide information on posture, body composition (fat-to-muscle ratio), and body shape.
A 3D full-body scanner for fitness. Source:Fit3D
Body scanners become fitness trackers, regularly collecting data points and displaying user progress through 3D animated clips of body shape. Body scanners for such fitness applications typically cannot capture texture and color, as they focus on body shape.
Applications in the Fashion and Apparel Industry
Some apparel retailers have already utilized 3D full-body scanning technology to fully exploit the potential of virtual fitting rooms. The concept is simple: users create a personal profile based on their full-body scan. Then, they can virtually try on clothes at home or in a 3D full-body scanning booth in a store.
Virtual try-on. Source:3DLook new virtual fitting room solution
Virtual fitting rooms have great potential in e-commerce, as they allow online shoppers at home to virtually try on clothes before purchasing, ensuring the right size and thus reducing return rates.
3D full-body scanning can help tailors and fashion brands achieve the following:
．Save time in traditional manual body measurement processes
．Collect more precise body measurement data to create the best-fitting shirts and suits.
By immediately capturing all necessary body measurement data in 3D, clothing can be customized more efficiently.
Acustom Apparel uses 3D digital measurement technology to collect every measurement and size of customers and design custom clothing. The company developed its own digital measurement technology to collect about 2 million data points to create a 3D model of the customer. Based on this data and the customer's personal preferences, custom clothing is created.
Creating Personalized Virtual Avatar Applications
3D full-body scanning can be used to create realistic virtual avatars. In specific industries, such as retail or entertainment, virtual avatars created using 3D scanning technology aim to enhance the customer experience.
For example, customers can virtually try on clothes using their own 3D avatars instead of physically wearing them. Virtual avatars are also widely used in video games. For example, through 3D face scanning, in-game characters can look like the players themselves, achieving a more personalized and immersive gaming experience.
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