Using the Hardware¶

About Scanners and Sensors¶

Artec Studio can work with one or more Artec 3D scanners. It offers tools to quickly create 3D models of physical objects. Besides managing the process of capturing objects, it lets you perform full data postprocessing, optimize mesh tessellations and apply other operations to obtain a quality 3D model. You can then send the complete model to a CNC machine or import it to another 3D-modeling application.

Figure 10. Features of Artec 3D scanners: Space Spider (left) and EVA (right).

Most Artec 3D scanners are specifically designed for handheld use, offering light weight and compact size. Being structured-light 3D scanners, they don’t require you to place any special targets on the object you’re capturing. Using them is easy—no special knowledge or skills are necessary. To obtain a complete 3D model, simply scan the object from different angles and fuse the resulting scans into a single model using Artec Studio.

Depending on the size of the object you’re scanning, use either Artec EVA, Artec L2 or Artec Spider. The primary difference between these models is the depth and field of view. They also differ in 3D resolution as well as point accuracy; consult the Artec web site for details. We recommended choosing the scanner model that’s best suited to the operations you will be performing:

• Artec L2—full body, monuments, architectural elements
• Artec EVA—full body or body parts, faces, automobile interior, large statues
• Artec Spider—pencils, keys and other small objects; fine details on large objects, such as architectural ornaments.

Figure 11. Fields of view for various Artec 3D scanners.

You can combine several different scanner types while capturing a scene. In some cases when capturing complex shapes, this capability increases the scanning rate and enables you to achieve your desired precision.

Artec Scanners: Buttons and LED Indicators¶

LED Indicators¶

Artec scanners include built-in multicolor indicators. By explaining the meaning of these indicators, the list below enables you to keep track of the scanning process:

:	Steady blue—scanner is booting up.
:	Flashing green—Artec Studio cannot detect a 3D scanner.
:	Steady green—scanner is connected to the application and ready to use.
:	Flashing red—scanner is in Preview mode, or tracking in Recording mode is lost.
:	Steady red—scanner is in Recording mode and object tracking is proceeding correctly.

Hardware Buttons¶

The Artec EVA and Artec Spider 3D scanners have three-position buttons on their bodies:

Figure 12. Scanner buttons: Artec Spider on the left and Artec EVA on the right.

—press this button once to open the Scan panel and start Preview mode; press it once more to switch to Recording mode. Subsequently, pressing this button will switch between Preview and Recording.

—press once during a scan to stop the scanning process; press twice to stop scanning and close the Scan panel.

EVA Scanners: Hardware Synchronization¶

Artec EVA is equipped with two jacks designed for 6P6C connectors (RJ12). By creating a bundle, you can link multiple Artec EVA scanners to each other. The master device is a leading scanner that sends signals to the next slave device. Each subsequent device is connected to the previous one sequentially as Figure 13. shows. To connect the devices, you can use a standard phone cable (RJ12 6P6C) or any other cable that uses the conductor scheme shown in Figure 13.. Each scanner should also connect to the PC via USB.

Figure 13. Synchronization scheme.

Jacks on the Artec EVA scanner shown at left and conductors in a 6P6C connector shown at right.