MIRACO Plus 3D Scanner: Structured Light and Photogrammetry Metrology Kit, the best of Both Worlds?

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This article is sponsored by Revopoint

Meet the world’s first comprehensive 3D scanning and photogrammetric metrology solution for around $2,000: the new Revopoint MIRACO Plus 3D scanner.

Revopoint, one of the main companies in the consumer, prosumer and professional 3D scanning industry, has been pushing structured light 3D scanners for several years. These 3D scanners are capable of scanning both small and large objects, from a coin to a car or even a helicopter. Their goal is to make 3D scanning available and accessible for everyone.
Following the launch of their flagship in 2023, the MIRACO 3D scanner, Revopoint just announced a new product: the MIRACO Plus, with a Photogrammetric Metrology Kit (PMK).

In a nutshell, the MIRACO Plus, alongside the PMK, is capable of doing everything MIRACO was able to do, and more. It features improved capabilities compared to the MIRACO, and a brand new scanning mode, while retaining the same core philosophy: ease of use, and a device that can be carried around easily.

Here’s what you should know, as well as a few examples of what the photogrammetry metrology kit can do.
Plus, get a 10% discount by ordering during pre-launch ! You can Get the MIRACO Plus the Photogrammetry Metrology Kit here.
Use promo code BR3DVF when ordering to get an extra 2% off until Sept 15th!

What are the main features? Who’s the target audience? What can you scan?

At its core, the MIRACO Plus is a structured light scanner. It uses infrared light to 3D scan objects, and thanks to its 48-megapixel color camera, it can create models with 8K textures.
It can therefore scan a wide ranger of subjects, just like the MIRACO (see our video). Basically, objects that are at least 10 x 10 x 10 mm, but can be as big as a car and more.

The MIRACO Plus can be used alone, but also alongside the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit (PMK), which consists of markers, scale bars and coded targets. Thanks to these accessories, you can create even more precise scans and get more accurate measurements for your 3D models. This will be especially useful for people scanning tricky subjects in complex scenarios, such as cars or motorbikes, large-sized objects, and when you need accurate measurements and/or volumetric measurements.

All of this, for less than $2.000. This makes the MIRACO Plus and the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit (PMK) useful for 3D scanning props, metrology, reverse engineering, heritage, and more. And since you can easily transport it, it’s perfect for museums, movie sets, events, etc.

Compared to its predecessor the MIRACO, the MIRACO Plus features improved accuracy (0.04mm, or +20%), and faster scans thanks to up to 20fps scanning speeds. Moreover, the improved calibration boards (5 in total) will help maintain the scanner accuracy to within 20 microns.
Last, but not least, the MIRACO Plus features a new infrared optical zoom (1.5x and 2x), which is very useful to scan small objects and objects with fine surface detail.

MIRACO Plus Photogrammetry Metrology Kit: unboxing

The Miraco Plus Photogrammetric Metrology Kit come with a lot of accessories.

In addition to the 3D scanner, you’ll get:

• a small bag for the MIRACO Plus, with room for a few accessories
• 5 calibration boards a calibration board sheet
• a mini turntable and a topper with markers
• two mats with markers: one is made for large objects, the other one for small objects
• cables, adapters, a power adapter, a cleaning cloth, a wrist strap for the MIRACO Plus
• a small tripod
• the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit box and its contents (scale bars, coded targets, markers). The box is quite useful to transport and protect the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit.

Basically, Revopoint provides all you need to scan right away. They even provide a small plaster bust, that you can use for your first scan to learn the basic workflow. A nice touch.

Photogrammetric Metrology Kit: what’s in the box?

The Photogrammetric Metrology Kit contains three different items:

• 500 Markers: these are used by the MIRACO Plus to track where it is located along the object, even on flat surfaces.
• coded targets: these targets feature unique symbols on them. This way, the MIRACO Plus can identify each target. The pack actually includes two kinds of targets:
  • 208 stickable-coded targets, that you can stick on the subject and its surroundings
  • 208 magnetic targets, that are useful for metallic objects such as cars or motorbikes: this way you can use magneting targets, scan the subject, then remove the targets without leaving a trace.
• scale bars, each with two coded targets: these bars can be used if you not only want to scan an item, but also get accurate measurements. You can either place them close to your subject or on it. They have magnets in the back, so you can definitely use them on vertical surfaces like a car door.

All of this comes inside a carrying case, which makes it easier to store and transport these accessories.

Workflow – in a nutshell

All these accessories can seem a bit daunting, but the using the new Photogrammetric Metrology Kit is actually quite simple.
You’re going to place the markers, targets and bars near or on the subject. Then, using the photogrammetry metrology kitstep involves taking a few pictures with the MIRACO Plus, so that the 3D scanner can understand where everything is located. Finally, the actual scan uses structured light scanning and the information gathered thanks to the Photogrammetry Metrology Kit.

You end up with precise and accurate data, that can be processed in a few minutes. You can of course clean things up if needed, before exporting the scan as a 3D model.

For a more detailed look at the workflow, head over to the end of the article for a use case.

Why this makes sense

Revopoint has been improving their accessories over the years. For example, they began shipping “Magic Mats” alongside stickable markers, which make the 3D scanning process easier.

The Photogrammetric Metrology Kit makes a lot of sense for some use cases. For example, even though structured light is a very powerful technology, there is always a margin of error, and since frames are aligned with one another, this can create a bigger error on very big objects. Thanks to the photogrammetry metrology kit, the 3D scanner basically has an overall view of all the markers, which means any drift, stretching, deformation that could occur will be greatly reduced.

Furthermore, since the scanner now has an overall map of all the markers and targets, it will be much easier to scan shapes and objects that required a lot of care.

In other words, Revopoint keeps listening to their customers and tries to improve both the user experience and the end result : the quality of the 3D scan itself. Even if it means dipping their toes in a technology they had not explored before, such as photogrammetry. This is precisely the kind of improvement that will make affordable 3D scans better and better.

Customer service: 24/7 support!

By the way: Revopoint is of course aware that 3D scanning can be a bit intimidating for first time users. They also know that professionals need to be able to trust a brand and can’t afford to use a product without a good support team. Which is why Revopoint provides 24/7 support for users in need, with responsive and dedicated service agents.

We also highly encourage you to check out the official forum and social media accounts: you’ll find useful tips, feedback and other users to discuss any issue you may have. And don’t hesitate to send feature requests: Revopoint is eager to improve their product and often updates the software thanks to customer feedback.

10% Discount: Get MIRACO Plus now!

The MIRACO Plus 3D Scanner is available right away on pre-sale, and officially on sale on September 18th. During the pre-sale period, Revopoint offers a 10% discount!

So don’t wait, and order your MIRACO Plus now. Use promo code BR3DVF when ordering to get an extra 2% off!

Back to school sale: 20% off various Revopoint Products, and an extra 2% off for you!

In addition to the MIRACO Plus, the Revopoint webstore is also launching a Back to School sale, starting immediately. Enjoy up to 20% off on various products, including MIRACO and MIRACO Pro, which were featured on 3DVF at the end of 2023.
Revopoint MIRACO does not include the new Photogrammetry Metrology Kit. MIRACO Pro is an improved version of the MIRACO 3D Scanner: additional accessories are included (calibration board/sheet USB to HDMI adapter), and the MIRACO Pro has more RAM, which allows you to scan bigger subjects in a single session.

The Revopoint MIRACO 3D Scanner received the 2024 Red Dot Award Best of the Best for its versatility and innovation in the 3D scanning industry. In a nutshell, this 3D scanner can capture both small and large objects.

Head over to the Revopoint webstore to know more and get 20% off today!

Revopoint also created a special coupon for all 3DVF readers: get an extra 2% off! The coupon can be applied to all Revopoint 3D scanners and can be combined to the current online store campaign: just use promo code BR3DVF when ordering! This offer is valid until Sep.15th.

Use case

As a bonus, here’s an example of what you can achieve with a test subject: an old couch. This will also be a good opportunity to dig a bit deeper in the workflow.

• first, you’re going to scan a barcode located in the Photogrammetry Metrology Kit box. This only needs to be done once, and it will tell the MIRACO Plus which professionnally, factory-calibrated scale bars you are using.
• then, place coded targets and markers on or around the subject.
  You want to avoid placing them on feature-rich areas on the subject, and to place them randomly: creating a regular pattern should be avoided.
  In other words: you want to add markers a bit randomly, and preferably on flat surfaces of the subject.
  A good rule of thumb: if you want to scan your subject at a distance of 1m, markers should be about 10cm apart, coded targets about 20cm apart. This will ensure smooth photogrammetry and scanning.

• Then, place at least two scale bars in a blank area. They should not be parallel but angular with each other.

Our scanning setup is now ready! Of course, you don’t need to use all the markers and targets each time. Just follow the guidelines, and use more targets/markers on bigger subjects.

We can now begin the photogrammetry and structured light process.

• The photogrammetry metrology step is quite simple. At a distance of about 0.8 to 1.3m from the subject, you are going to shoot at least 30 pictures of the object/scene you want to scan at different angles. This way, each target will be visible in multiple pictures.
  Revopoint provides a few tips in the user guide to help you. You’ll quickly get the hang of it.

• Then, you can ask MIRACO Plus to calculate the markers. Basically, the 3D scanner uses all the pictures to compute where each target and marker is, and the scale bars are used to scale everything.
  The MIRACO Plus will confirm that everything went fine, and display the an accuracy number: should there be any issue, you can either add photos or retake them.

• You can now scan the subject using structured light. The during the scan, the MIRACO Plus creates a point cloud. Thanks to the previous steps, it can use markers and targets to precisely align each frame and the depth data.

• Last, but not least, this point cloud can be post-processed to create the final 3D scan. Typically, you’ll use the free Revo Scan software provided by Revopoint, on your workstation or laptop, and either use the one-click Edit button, or use the Advanced post-processing mode.

Just like regular structured light scanning or photogrammetry only workflows, once you’ve done your first scans, you’ll get better at using this hybrid photogrammetry metrology workflow, and get faster results.

So don’t wait, and Get the MIRACO Plus the Photogrammetry Metrology Kit here at a special price!

And until Sep. 15th, don’t forget our promo code BR3DVF when ordering to get an extra 2% off in addition to the MIRACO PLus prelaunch sale, as well as the Back to School sale, until Sept 15th!