Skip to content

What coloring methods does the ASCAND 3D Scan Platform support

  • by

ASCAND supports Vertex Coloring, Texture Coloring, and Point Cloud Coloring.

Vertex Coloring

Vertex coloring assigns color to each vertex of a 3D model. The color transitions smoothly between vertices across the model’s surface.

  • Advantages:
    • Simple and lightweight.
    • Color data stored within the model itself, no external files needed.
    • Works well with low-polygon models.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Limited by the number of vertices; fewer vertices mean less color detail.
    • Not ideal for highly detailed textures or photorealism.

Supportedn file formats using Vertex Coloring:

  • PLY (Polygon File Format): Often used for 3D models with vertex colors.
  • OBJ (Wavefront OBJ): Can store vertex color data via extensions or MTL files.
  • DAE (Collada): Can store vertex color data s and is commonly used in asset pipelines.
  • X3D (Extensible 3D) is another widely used file format, especially in web-based 3D graphics, and it supports various methods of coloring, including vertex coloring, texture mapping, and point cloud coloring

Texture Coloring

Texture coloring applies a 2D image (texture) onto a 3D model using UV mapping to wrap the image around the object’s surface.

  • Advantages:
    • High detail, independent of the model’s geometry.
    • Can use real images or custom designs for complex visual effects.
    • Allows additional effects like bump mapping and specular highlights.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Requires more memory due to external texture files.
    • UV mapping can be complex to set up.
    • Can cause stretching or distortion if UV mapping isn’t well-done

Supported File Formats:

  • OBJ: Commonly used with a separate texture image file (e.g., PNG, JPEG) and an MTL file for material information.
  • FBX: Supports UV-mapped textures along with other material properties.
  • GLTF/GLB: Supports texture maps, including base color, normal, and metallic/roughness maps, embedded within the file.
  • DAE (Collada): Can store UV-mapped textures and is commonly used in asset pipelines.
  • 3DS: Can store UV-mapped textures, though less commonly used today.
  • X3D (Extensible 3D) is another widely used file format, especially in web-based 3D graphics, and it supports various methods of coloring, including vertex coloring, texture mapping, and point cloud coloring.
  • blend Blender excels at texture mapping and painting. You can unwrap your 3D model’s UVs and apply a 2D image texture using the UV/Image Editor or paint textures directly on the model in Texture Paint mode

Texture File Formats: PNG, JPEG, BMP, TGA, TIFF (stored separately from the model file).

Point Cloud Coloring

Point cloud coloring applies color directly to individual points in a 3D point cloud, often used in 3D scanning or photogrammetry.

  • Advantages:
    • Highly accurate color representation of real-world objects.
    • Direct color capture from the source, no need for complex mapping.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Not a fully-constructed surface; requires further processing to create a 3D model.
    • Higher computational load for large point clouds.

Supported File Formats:

PLY: Commonly used for point clouds and supports per-point color information.

Key Differences:

  • Detail: Texture coloring allows much finer detail than vertex or point cloud coloring.
  • Performance: Vertex coloring is lightweight, while texture coloring uses more memory and point clouds can be computationally intense.
  • Use Case: Vertex coloring is great for simple models, texture coloring for high-detail surfaces, and point cloud coloring for 3D scans.