Welcome to 3D ModelME. This is an exciting time in the 3D modeling world. With the recent introduction of the 3D capabilities in the iPhone line, it is time to start using this technology to capture real life 3D images. 3D ModelME is designed to do just that. With the 3D ModelME app, you can transform the portraits you take with your iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X into real 3D models for immediate printing with today’s 3D printers.

 

 

 

How this works:

Principle:

3D ModelME uses the depth data that is stored with certain types of images on iPhones to transform those images into 3D models. The image is converted to an STL type file, which is supported by all major brands of 3D printing software. The basic version of 3D ModelME will allow you to select a photo from your photo library and see what the 3D model of that photo looks like. You can interact with the resulting 3D model to view it from any angle. There are some settings that can be manipulated to change how the model is created. Once you are happy with the 3D model, you can upgrade to the 3D ModelMEPro version to export your image (via email) for use outside the app. Not all photos that are taken with the iPhone have depth data available. See below for the supported cameras, and tips for capturing depth data with your images.

 

                                            

 

 

 

 

Capturing Images with Depth:

iPhone X:

Both the front and rear cameras on the iPhone X support capturing depth data with a photo. The rear facing dual camera supports disparity-based depth data, while the front facing camera supports “time-of-flight” depth data. The front facing camera tends show more depth fidelity and will likely result in more satisfying 3D prints.

 

To collect depth data on the iPhone X, the camera mode should be set to “portrait”. Portrait mode will attempt to collect depth data and store it with the image. While in portrait mode, the camera will sometimes try to “help” you by instructing to move closer or further from the object being photographed.

 

 

 

iPhone 7 Plus:

iPhone 8 Plus:

The iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 Plus both support depth data from the rear facing dual cameras. The data that is collected is disparity data, and not time-of-flight data. These cameras are completely capable, but the data collected tends to be lower accuracy and fidelity than the time-of-flight camera on the iPhone X.

 

 


Settings in the 3d ModelME App

The model settings for the app can be accessed from the toolbar. The 3D ModelME app has the following configuration settings:

 

Depth Limit: Sets the maximum depth that will be converted into the 3D model. Depths in the photo that are further than the Depth Limit will be truncated at the depth limit. Thus, setting a virtual backdrop for the image.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The default value for this setting is 0.5meters. If a model looks flat after processing, you may need to increase the max depth to reach the actual image.

 

Reduce Size: When this is “On” the modelling algorithms will remove specific geometries that it believes do not affect the resultant 3D image. The goal is to reduce the overall size of the 3D model that is being created. This feature is currently being finalized, but a Beta is provided for your convenience.

 

 

 


3D Printing Tips

Orientation:

When printing models from the 3D ModelME app, they should be printed in a vertical method. Laying the model flat on the build plate with the textured face upward, the printout will likely fail.

 

 

 

 


Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem

Tip

Whenever I select an image, 3D ModelME says there is no depth information

Depth information is only captured by the iPhone in specific circumstances. Make sure that your iPhone supports depth image capture, and that you are capturing the correct image type. See above for more details.

My 3D model always looks like a flat surface

The Depth Limit setting could be set too low. If the Depth Limit is set too low, the algorithm could put the “false back” on the model before it has reached the minimum depth of the image. Try lengthening the depth limit in the settings

What can I do with the 3D ModelME app If I don’t have an iPhone that supports depth?

If you have an iPhone that does not have a camera that supports depth capture, you are not excluded from enjoying the 3D ModelME app. It is possible for friends who do have depth capable cameras to email you images and you can convert them to 3D models, export them for use outside the app. To accomplish this, just make sure that your friend emails the full-size image and does not select small or medium size image when emailing.

The model that is created is too complex to be used in some web-based 3D model application.

The team is currently working on ways to reduce the complexity of the 3D model that is being generated. This is challenging to do without reducing the quality of the model beyond acceptable levels. It is possible to reduce the size by making the core element that you are modeling smaller in the photo by moving the camera further away.  Then enable the Reduce Size setting and adjust the Image Depth setting to filter out all but the portion of the model you are interested in.

 

 

Suggestions or Issues

 

If you have suggestions or issues related to the 3D ModelME app, please submit them to the author at the following email:

3DModelMEPro@gmail.com