【3D Scanning Application】How Do Various Industries Perfectly Utilize 3D 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 just 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 feature 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 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, and with handheld 3D scanners, the operator moves the device around the subject at a certain distance, without direct contact with the object being scanned.
Fast
When using a portable 3D scanner, the process can take a few minutes, requiring the subject to remain completely still.
Precise
3D human body scanners are highly precise 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 algorithmically processing them 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 an object. The 3D scanner then uses triangulation to generate an accurate 3D model. This 3D scanning technique is very precise but requires the scanned object to be very still.
These 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 to perform body scans on the object being scanned. 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:
-Healthcare and Medicine-
In the medical field, there are many body scanning applications, from monitoring patient body shape to identify potential problems, to capturing highly detailed 3D models of disabled limbs for custom prosthetics, etc. 3D human body scanning can also help monitor the recovery rate of burns by capturing damaged skin, identifying burned tissue, and measuring the area through colored and textured 3D scans to track progress.
-3D Figurines-
Also known as 3D selfies or 3D portraits, 3D figurines are miniature statues of actual people. They are typically 3D models obtained using full-body 3D scanners, usually requiring a full-color 3D printer to realize.-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 has started using 3D human body scanners to capture precise body dimensions for making custom clothing.
In the retail sector, 3D human body scanning unlocks new potential for virtual fitting rooms, where customers can easily try on new clothes using 3D avatars based on precise body dimensions.
-Avatar Virtual Characters-
3D human body scanning and 3D face scanning can be used in the entertainment industry to create realistic avatars, such as those used in video games.
Medical and Healthcare Applications
3D body scanning is increasingly applied in the medical field. Due to their non-invasive and rapid way of capturing the 3D shape of the human body, there are four main applications:
Epidemiology
This is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in specific populations. 3D body scans 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 amount of time, allowing for meaningful samples for research.
Diagnosis
3D body scans can help doctors with diagnosis. In this context, 3D scanning is primarily used for treating skin-related issues (burns, diseases, infections, wrinkles, etc.) and for detecting 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 life-and-death factor. To provide patients with the correct amount of medication, the precise surface area of burned skin needs to be calculated. Indeed, the amount of medication to be administered depends on the skin's surface area; if the medication amount is not accurately measured, patients could suffer severe complications.
High-precision 3D body scanners or handheld 3D scanners can help accurately measure the damaged skin surface.
Monitoring
Full-body 3D scanners can help monitor changes in a patient's body (shape, composition, etc.), such as during dieting or pregnancy. Body scanners are new tools for doctors and practitioners to better track the evolution of patient body indicators, thereby enabling more accurate diagnoses and recommendations.
3D Printed Prosthetics
Prosthetics are highly suitable for 3D printing because they are primarily made of plastic and require customization to perfectly fit the patient. There are many open-source 3D prosthetic models, developed and collaborated on by major 3D printing brand communities, volunteer designers, and researchers, 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 a 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, are small 3D printed models representing a person. Some refer to this as 3D photography.
With the improvement of 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies, it is now possible to create such precise 3D printed figurines that serve perfectly as gifts or souvenirs for important life events.
Creating a 3D portrait requires two steps:
1. Full-body 3D scanning of the person
First, the person must be 3D scanned using a full-body scanner capable of capturing color and texture, producing 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 often quite expensive and more complex to operate.
This is why most 3D figurine businesses turn to 3D printing service providers specializing in full-color 3D printing. The 3D model is sent to a 3D printing service, who print it and ship it to the end customer.
3D selfies make excellent gifts and perfect souvenirs for special occasions (e.g., weddings, graduations, etc.).
Applications in the Fitness Industry
Using 3D Full Body Scans for Body Measurement and Fitness Tracking
The American company Fit3D developed the Proscanner, specifically designed for comprehensive fitness tracking, which can capture and monitor data about the human body. Full-body scanners can indeed capture thousands of data points about 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 extremely high precision and 3D imaging capabilities of a 3D full-body scanner 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 percentage vs. muscle percentage), and body shape.
A 3D full-body scanner for fitness. Source:Fit3D
Body scanners become fitness trackers, regularly collecting data points and showing users' progress through 3D animated clips of body shape. Body scanners in such fitness applications usually cannot capture texture and color, as they focus on body shape.
Applications in the Fashion and Apparel Industry
Some apparel retailers have already leveraged 3D full-body scanning technology to fully realize the potential of virtual fitting rooms. The concept is simple: users create a personal profile based on their full-body scan. They can then 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 immense potential in e-commerce, as they allow online shoppers to virtually try on clothes before purchasing, ensuring a proper fit and thus reducing return rates.
3D full-body scanning allows tailors and fashion brands to achieve the following:
．Save time in the traditional manual body measurement process
．Collect more precise body measurement data to create the best-fitting shirts and suits.
By immediately capturing all necessary body measurements in 3D, clothing can be customized more efficiently.
Acustom Apparel uses 3D digital measurement technology to collect every measurement and dimension of a customer 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 Character Applications
3D full-body scanning can be used to create realistic virtual characters. In specific industries, such as retail or entertainment, virtual characters created using 3D scanning technology aim to enhance the customer experience.
For example, customers can use their 3D virtual avatars to virtually try on clothes instead of actually wearing them. Virtual characters are also widely used in video games; for instance, 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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