Artec 3D Scanning SDK

Artec 3D Scanning SDK offers 3D enthusiasts and professionals a comprehensive tool set for capturing and processing 3D surfaces. It's the shortest way to assimilate Eva or Spider scanners into your solution.

Understanding the SDK

The illustration above shows how the SDK works. The purpose of the software is to enable programmers to scan 3D objects, process the captured surfaces and obtain the final model with optionally applied textures. The SDK provides an API designed to work with Artec 3D scanners, including using several devices at the same time. The API consists of *.lib, *.dll and *.h files that you can compile in your software.

Understanding the SDK

Although Artec 3D Scanning SDK contains an arsenal of powerful algorithms for processing models, it lacks out-of-the-box interactivity, manual tools and uncommon algorithms. Check out the limitations of the software by consulting the SDK Limitations page.

The SDK includes several logical parts, as the figure below illustrates.

SDK structure

The Base API includes classes that work with input and output files, raw data, points, textures, and UV coordinates, and it defines operation statuses—essentially everything that relates to data collection and processing. In other words, it includes components that cannot be directly associated with the Scanning or Algorithm API. For more information, consult the Base API page.

The Capturing API lacks any complex scanning procedures, but it does enable capture and reconstruction. At the same time it has a variety of interfaces that control modes and scanner settings. Capturing procedures are helpful when you need raw frames as an output or when you intend to apply your own registration algorithm.

The Scanning API provides interfaces for complex Artec scanning procedures, such as employing several devices simultaneously (see How to Bundle Artec Scanners), and registration.

The Algorithm API offers data types and classes for complex data processing.

The Project API allows user to save 3D data to and load them from Artec Studio projects.

Getting Started

Installation

You can freely install the SDK on as many computers as you want. Just follow these steps:

1. Access your personal page at my.artec3d.com.
2. Install Artec Installation Center and launch it.
3. Connect your Artec 3D scanner to the computer and wait until it appears in the Hardware section.
4. Click the Activate button.
5. Click the Install button in the row titled Artec 3D Scanning SDK.
6. Once the installation is complete, start working with the API.

Note

Scanner drivers are installed automatically.

Getting Started With the SDK

You can compile the files using Microsoft Visual Studio.

One good way to start using the SDK is to try a code samples. For your convenience, source code files along with libraries are packed in the archive. See Basics and Beyond Basics for details.

Contacting Artec Support

If you encounter a problem with Artec 3D Scanning SDK, ask support or email us at suppo.nosp@m.rt@a.nosp@m.rtec-.nosp@m.grou.nosp@m.p.com. To help us in assisting you, first try one of the provided examples.

Note

If your issue relates to sample code, try the sample once more after making sure that the setOutputLevel() function accepts the artec::sdk::base::VerboseLevel_Trace parameter as an input.