Revopoint MIRACO 3D Scanner

So before we get on with the testing, let’s see what is in the box, and how it all works.

MIRACO Plus & Photogrammetric Metrology Kit Overview

While the original MIRACO 3D scanners were designed for scanning items of various sizes, the new MIRACO Plus with the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit not only supports regular detailed scanning but also adapts seamlessly to complex measurement scenarios.

The original MIRACO scanners work by structured light technology to map the geometry of an object. The scanner projects a series of light patterns onto the object, and as these patterns deform over the surface, a stereo camera pair captures the resulting distortions.

Photogrammetry works a little differently, and depends on 2D images taken from multiple angles to reconstruct a 3D model.

The technique calculates depth information by comparing common points across the images and then generating a 3D mesh based on the geometry inferred from these points. In this case, the common features are the coded targets and scale bars inside the PMK.

You can see the calibrated carbon fiber scale bars, and sticky / magnetic coded targets in the image below. These must be placed liberally on/around the object being scanned.

Setting Up

Opening the main box, we can see all the accessories included with the MIRACO Plus and Photogrammetric Metrology Kit. These include power supply, USB cable, markers, and a fancy carry case. You can see them all in the picture below.

We received the instruction manual in PDF from Revoipoint directly, and the instructions are fairly easy to follow.

Opening the settings on the MIRACO Plus will show the scan modes, Point Cloud (3D scan), Photogrammetry, and Global Marker. Point Cloud mode is the regular scanning mode, found on the other MIRACO scanners. The other two modes are new to the MIRACO Plus.

Photogrammetry mode requires the scale bars for metrology-grade tasks, and Global Marker mode combines continuous scanning of the markers with point cloud for rapid and accurate scanning of large objects.

Photogrammetry Mode

First, I wanted to test the photogrammetry mode. To do this, you should place at least two scale bars against or around the object’s surface, ensuring that they are not parallel but positioned at an angle to one another. The PMK’s coded targets must also be paired up with the MIRACO Plus 3D scanner, which can be done via the scanner interface. After this step is complete, then the scanning can begin.

Revopoint says this PMK is good for scanning items as big as cars and aircraft parts. Sadly, I do not have either of those handy at the moment, so I stuck a bunch of the registration stickers all over my desk at first (shown in the picture above). It has a fairly interesting geometry and variety of surface finishes.

After taking the required minimum 30 photos from various angles, I processed the data on the handheld unit and produced my first marker map. The onscreen instructions are easy to follow, and the MIRACO Plus tells you when you make an error and need to retake a photo. These errors are typically distance related, or are due to not enough markers being in the scene.

For the subsequent point cloud stage, the screen and PC were reflective, so I was unable to generate a full point cloud. I managed to produce a point cloud and 3D model of the surrounding areas though. Therefore, before scanning transparent, dark or highly reflective objects, using scanning spray can provide you with a better scanning experience

This is going to take a little bit more practice and a lot of spray to get right. A few more markers might be beneficial too.

Onto the next mode, which would prove a little more easy to get to grips with.

Global Marker Mode

The second new mode available on the MIRACO Plus is the Global Marker mode.
While photogrammetry mode requires multiple individual photos and the scale bars, Global Marker mode uses a continuous scan to create the global marker points.

Running out of large things with decent surfaces that I could scan, I covered a radiator in coded targets, and attempted to scan with Global Marker mode. The Global Marker scan was over in just a few seconds, and you can see the resulting marker map on the MIRACO Plus screen in the photo below. This was way faster than capturing the markers in photogrammetry mode.

As with photogrammetry mode, a point cloud scan can be applied to the marker skeleton. The green 3D matrix of the markers appears augmented on the AMOLED screen and rotates as the scanner is moved, allowing the user to position the scanner properly.

I was a little more liberal with the markers this time, and so capturing the point cloud was painless. I managed to capture the visible faces of the radiator in under a minute.

Without the markers, this would have been time-consuming (if not impossible) to produce the point cloud due to the lack of features on the radiator. But with the markers, the entire radiator was basically scanned in one go, needing only minor shifts in the position of the scanner.

You can see the resulting point cloud in the image below, which has been rendered over the top of the global marker points.

Conclusion

The MIRACO Plus 3D scanner and its Photogrammetric Metrology Kit is designed to scan large objects accurately and quickly thanks to its rapid means of gathering photogrammetry data, combined with its point cloud generating capabilities with the regular 3D scanner element.

It is as easy to use as the MIRACO, but is also 20% more accurate at 0.04 mm and around 33% faster, with speeds up to 20 fps, than the MIRACO and MIRACO Pro. It also has 1.5x and 2x infrared optical zoom for enhanced detail capture.

The inclusion of the Photogrammetric Metrology Kit allows for high-resolution capture of small details on large objects while ensuring volumetric accuracy. This makes it ideally suited for those working in aerospace, automotive, architecture, historical preservation, and possibly industrial digital twins.

Just like the original MIRACO, it has a user-friendly interface, and is intuitive to use. The PMK really speeds up the capture of larger areas, but surface preparation is vital when it comes to making point clouds.

We have seen how the point cloud features work in our previous article, and we were very pleased with the results. I look forward to getting better results with the new MIRACO Plus, once I have spent a little more time with the PMK.

If you would like to learn more about the new Revopoint MIRACO Plus 3D scanner with its Photogrammetric Metrology Kit, then head on over to the link below, you can also use the code ‘BR3DP’ to enjoy an additional 2% discount on your purchase.

And just in case you would like to experience some of the original MIRACO goodness, you will be happy to know that both the MIRACO and MIRACO Pro are currently available with a 20% discount.

By the way, Revopoint launched its first Laser 3D Scanner, MetroX, on Kickstarter on October 15th and will run until November 14th, offering a discount of up to 35%, bringing the price down to just $649. If you’re interested, be sure to follow this exclusive link for more details.