“I can make anything I want.”
So says hobby sculptor Jaime Laguna from Puerto Rico in this interview on how he uses SOL 3D scanner in his sculpturing process, what his challenges are, and how he solves them.
Meet one of our most inspiring SOL 3D scanner users in this video, or read the transcript below.
Video transcript
Sigrid Raahauge, Scan Dimension:
You are about to meet one of our most inspiring SOL 3D scanner users.
My name is Sigrid Raahauge and I am the marketing team leader in Scan Dimension, the Copenhagen office.
I was so lucky to interview Jaime Laguna who has used the SOL 3D scanner for one year and has made some very creative projects. He will share some of his best tips and tricks for 3D scanning with the SOL scanner and of course show some of his projects.
I hope you will enjoy the interview.
Jaime Laguna, Puerto Rico:
My name is Jaime Laguna, I live in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. My hobbies are robotics and sculpturing.
In the past, I only made sculptures with clay. I have a kiln, an oven for clay. But when I discovered 3D printing, and later 3D scanning... Those technologies made my life a lot easier.
In the past, when I was making a clay sculpture, it could take me a whole day. Now I can scan or design the sculpture in about 30 minutes to one hour, and let the machines do the hard work.
Technology and the creative process
My most favorite theme is wreckages.
I made this little boat with self-hardening clay. Then I scanned it and 3D printed it. This is the scan of the original.
I compile the file to an .stl file. My software [MatterControl] can open the file. I can stretch the file in any axis I want. Larger, or taller or wider. I can make it in any shape I want.
Here is another thing I scanned. This was a little difficult, because it has a glossed glaze and the scanner has difficulties scanning the item.
When I first scanned the pottery, there were distortions of the legs.
To kill the gloss, I used this scanner spray from Germany, AESUB Blue. It self-disappears. Just spray the item, and in a few hours, it disappears completely. You do not need to wash the piece or remove the spray, because it disappears automatically.
And then, after I scanned this piece of pottery, I stretched it in the X- and Y-axes. But, I was not happy with that. So, I stretched the file a lot and made a boat!
Still not happy enough. So, I scanned some pieces of wood that I found on the beach, and merged with the boat. And got this wreckage. This is my favorite.
So, I can merge the different files and I can make anything I want. The file, the scanning and the software let me play the way I want. So, I can make the sculptures that I like the most.
Tips and tricks for optimal 3D scanning
You asked me if I have some tips.
For example, if I am scanning a piece of wood, I make it stand up using modelling clay on paper, so the modelling clay does not stick to the turntable of the scanner.
By experience, it is a lot better to scan an object like this in this direction than this. It’s easier. You need less scans, and the scans are watertight.
But don’t worry, I will also find a way to play with non-watertight scans.
Sigrid Raahauge, Scan Dimension:
You get the modelling clay in the scan as well, right?
Jaime Laguna, Puerto Rico:
That depends. For example, if I use blue modelling clay, the object appears to float in the scan. That is because the clay is very dark. But if I use a light colored modeling clay – like yellow – the base will appear in the scan.
Usually, with this type of object, I do not care about the bottom. I cut it in the slicer anyway.
So, it’s just playing with the methods and the processes. And you will eventually find a process that works fine for you. For what you want to do.
You have to be a little patient, innovative and creative to get the results that you want.
Final thoughts about SOL 3D scanner
Would I like to recommend this scanner? Definitely, yes! I love this scanner. It made my life easier.
Happy scanning!