Before we get into any details, an introduction.
Volumetric videos are videos captured using volumetric video capture technology which I know sound like an apple is a fruit from an apple tree but stay with me. Volumetric video capture technology is a technique or technology if you will that digitizes a three-dimensional space (you may have heard of this as 3D), object or environment in real time using an array of cameras set around a target.
The captured content could be transferred to the web or mobile to be viewed in 3D. A recap of 3D 101 would reiterate that anything 3D is basically anything that exists in all three axes-x, y and z. If you don’t like math, the three axes just translate to an object having height, width and depth, like you.
Now that you understand just what volumetric videos are, you are ready to hear the best part of said videos; the final product doesn’t have a set viewpoint which means it can be viewed from any angle you so desire.
A lot of people get 360-degree videos and volumetric videos all mixed up-they probably haven’t read this article. The difference is the depth offered by the former. 360-degree videos can only be viewed from a fixed constant depth.
Capturing Volumetric Videos
Capturing volumetric videos can be quite a challenge, or not. The basic blueprint is setting up or rigging up a bunch of cameras uniformly around the target-not the CIA kind.
Experts advise setting a minimum of 3 cameras per 15 degrees. If my math is right, you would need 72 cameras for a proper volumetric video, scary I know. You’re probably wondering where the hell am I going to get a bunch of phones for this. Fret not however, mobile 3d scanner technology is here to save the day. How to get started you ask? All you need is a 3D mobile camera.
Using Mobile Cameras
Think about your first ever phone. Did it even have a camera let alone fit in your hand? If it had a camera, it was probably a VGA camera which topped at an astonishing 0.11MP.
For contrast, most smartphones average about 12-16MP. If that is not impressive enough, some are now being fitted with a 3D camera hence the name 3D mobile camera. These cameras can sense movement while taking pictures and enhance picture quality. They have been particularly popular among gen Z because of the huge strides it has made when it comes to real time sensing of objects, clarity not to mention HD performance. Majority of its use has been in industries like media, entertainment and especially gaming.
Even if you do not possess or have access to a 3D mobile camera, volumetric videos are still achievable by converting your normal phone, for lack of a better word, into a decent -enough volumetric video scanner.
How to Use Your Phone for 3D Scanning
To start with, a 3D scan or a volumetric scan is a digital representation of an object, person or space you are 3D scanning using a volumetric video scanner.
For this case, using your mobile phone falls under mobile 3d scanner technology which is just 3D scanning on mobile phones. While recording or capturing, the sensors on your device collect individual data related to the aforementioned axes as well as other aspects like shape and color which will eventually form the final 3D render or file.
Implementing Mobile 3d Scanner Technology From Home Made Easy
Assuming you already have a smartphone, all you need is to download one of the many 3D scanning apps available – you are literally spoilt for choice. Regardless of what application you use, the steps followed are more or less the same.
First, place, carry, or move whatever object you want to make a 3D render of and set it up where you can freely walk around it.
Second, start the scanning process as the app you are using dictates and watch as the sensors on your mobile phone collect all the needed data.
Once the scan is done and all the necessary intel is recorded, the app turns that data and turns it into a 3D model. You can now save the render for whatever you needed it for like a Virtual reality avatar or something. It’s not rocket science people.
