3D Scan your Environment with AI (Free Tool)

Nik Kottmann
9 Dec 202304:16

TLDRThis tutorial introduces Luma AI, a free tool for creating 3D Nerf scans of your environment using artificial intelligence. The method is innovative for capturing metallic and reflective surfaces, unlike traditional photogrammetry. The video demonstrates recording a subject with a smartphone, uploading the footage to Luma Labs for processing, and creating camera animations for stunning 3D views. Tips for capturing and animating are provided, along with options for rendering videos or using preset camera animations. The creator, Nick, also offers free 3D assets from his Blender kit.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Luma AI is a free tool that uses neural radiance fields to create 3D scans of environments.
  • 🎥 To create a Nerf scan, record a video of the subject using a device like an iPhone, moving around it in circles at least three times to capture different perspectives.
  • 📱 No expensive camera is necessary for creating Nerf scans, making the process accessible to many.
  • 🔍 Luma AI's AI technology captures metallic and reflective surfaces, unlike traditional photogrammetry.
  • 📂 After recording, upload the video to Luma Labs to start the scanning process, which usually takes around 30 minutes.
  • 📐 Once the scan is processed, it can be viewed from various angles in the 3D viewport.
  • 📹 To export as a video, create a camera animation by setting focal lengths and adding key frames for the camera's path.
  • ⏱ Adjust the speed of the animation by manipulating the duration of key frames on the timeline.
  • 🎨 Customize the camera animation to make the video smoother and more visually appealing.
  • 📹 Render the video with options for aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate.
  • 🔄 Luma AI also offers preset camera animations like 'orbit' and 'oscillate' for quick and easy video creation.
  • 🌐 The 3D assets created can be downloaded for free from the creator's Blender kit profile, with a link provided in the video description.

Q & A

  • What is the tool mentioned in the video for creating 3D scans?

    -The tool mentioned in the video is called Luma AI, which is used for creating NeRF scans of the environment.

  • What does NeRF stand for in the context of the video?

    -NeRF stands for Neural Radiance Fields, which is a method used to scan environments and create 3D representations.

  • How does the NeRF method differ from traditional photogrammetry approaches?

    -The NeRF method differs from traditional photogrammetry approaches by utilizing artificial intelligence and being able to capture metallic and reflective surfaces as well.

  • What device does the video suggest using to record the video for the NeRF scan?

    -The video suggests using an iPhone to record the video for the NeRF scan, indicating that an expensive camera is not necessary.

  • What are some tips for recording the video to ensure a good NeRF scan?

    -The video suggests moving around the subject in circles, going around at least three times, and capturing different heights to cover as many perspectives as possible.

  • How long does it usually take for a NeRF scan to be processed after uploading the video?

    -According to the video, it usually takes around 30 minutes for a NeRF scan to be processed after uploading the video to Luma Labs.

  • What feature of Luma AI allows you to view the scan from different angles?

    -The 3D viewport feature of Luma AI allows you to view the scan from different angles after the processing is complete.

  • How can you create a camera animation for exporting the NeRF scan as a video?

    -To create a camera animation, you go to the top right corner of the Luma AI interface, click on the re-shoot button, set the focal length, and add key frames to define the camera's path.

  • What is the purpose of setting the focal length when creating a camera animation?

    -Setting the focal length determines the field of view for the camera animation, allowing you to zoom in or out on the subject.

  • How can you adjust the speed of the camera animation in the Luma AI tool?

    -You can adjust the speed of the camera animation by changing the duration of the key frames on the timeline, making the animation longer or shorter as desired.

  • What are the preset camera animations provided by Luma AI, and how can they be used?

    -Luma AI provides preset camera animations such as 'orbit' and 'oscillate'. These can be used by going to 'trajectories' and selecting the desired animation to automatically create a camera path around the subject.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Luma AI Nerf Scanning

This paragraph introduces the tutorial on creating Nerf scans using Luma AI, a free tool that employs neural Radiance fields for scanning environments and creating camera animations. The speaker emphasizes the AI's ability to capture metallic and reflective surfaces, which is a departure from traditional photogrammetry methods. The process begins with recording a video of the subject using a simple device like an iPhone, moving around it in circles and varying heights to capture a comprehensive view.

📱 Capturing the Subject with Tips from Luma AI

The speaker provides additional tips from Luma AI for capturing the subject, suggesting a pause to read these before starting. After recording, the video is uploaded to Luma labs for processing, which typically takes about 30 minutes. The result is a 3D viewable scan that can be examined from various angles, and the speaker expresses satisfaction with the outcome.

🎞 Creating Camera Animations with Keyframes

The paragraph explains how to create camera animations for the Nerf scan. It starts with setting the camera's focal length to determine the field of view, then placing the camera at the desired start point and adding keyframes at various positions to define the camera's path. The speaker demonstrates adding multiple keyframes and adjusting the timing to create a smooth animation, which can be previewed and refined.

⏱️ Adjusting and Rendering the Animation

Here, the speaker describes how to adjust the animation's duration by extending the last keyframe and distributing keyframes evenly along the timeline to create a smoother animation. The rendering process is initiated by selecting the video's aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate before exporting. The paragraph also mentions the option to use preset camera animations for convenience.

🔄 Conclusion and Additional Resources

The tutorial concludes with the speaker expressing hope that viewers have learned something new and inviting questions in the comments. They also mention that all 3D assets used in the tutorial are available for free download from their Blender kit profile, with a link provided in the video description. The speaker signs off with their name, Nick, and an anticipation of the next tutorial.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡3D Scan

3D Scan refers to the process of capturing the shape and appearance of a real-world object or environment and converting it into a three-dimensional digital model. In the context of the video, it is about using a free tool called Luma AI to create NeRF scans, which is a novel method allowing for the scanning of various surfaces, including metallic and reflective ones, by recording a video of the subject from multiple angles.

💡NeRF

NeRF stands for Neural Radiance Fields, a technique in computer graphics that uses machine learning to represent a complex scene with a volumetric radiance field. The video demonstrates how NeRF can be utilized to create detailed 3D scans of environments, enabling the creation of camera animations that were previously difficult to achieve with traditional methods.

💡Luma AI

Luma AI is the name of the free tool mentioned in the video that facilitates the creation of NeRF scans. It leverages artificial intelligence to process videos into 3D models, allowing users to capture and animate scenes with a high degree of realism and detail, as showcased in the video tutorial.

💡Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the science of making measurements from photographs, especially for recovering the exact positions of surface points. Traditional photogrammetry approaches are contrasted with the NeRF method in the video, where the latter uses AI to overcome limitations in capturing metallic and reflective surfaces.

💡Metallic and Reflective Surfaces

These terms refer to the types of surfaces that are particularly challenging for traditional scanning methods due to their reflective properties. The video highlights how Luma AI's NeRF technology can effectively capture such surfaces, expanding the range of applications for 3D scanning.

💡Camera Animation

Camera animation in the context of the video refers to the process of creating dynamic movements for a virtual camera within a 3D environment. The script describes how to set keyframes for the camera path and adjust the timing to create smooth and visually appealing animations.

💡Keyframe

A keyframe is a frame in an animation sequence that defines a change in the motion or position of an object. In the video, keyframes are used to set the start and end points of the camera's movement, allowing for the creation of a custom animation path.

💡Focal Length

Focal length in photography and videography is the distance from the camera's lens to the point at which it focuses light. In the script, adjusting the focal length is shown as a way to change the field of view of the virtual camera, affecting the zoom level of the animation.

💡Rendering

Rendering in 3D graphics is the process of generating a two-dimensional image or video from a three-dimensional model. The video describes the steps to render a video, including choosing aspect ratio, resolution, and starting the export process to create a final animation.

💡Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen, commonly used to describe the shape of video frames. In the video, the aspect ratio is set to 16:9, which is a standard widescreen format, to ensure the rendered video fits modern display standards.

💡Preset Camera Animations

Preset camera animations are pre-defined camera movement paths that can be applied to save time and effort in the animation process. The video mentions 'orbit' and 'oscillate' as examples of preset animations available in Luma AI, which can be used to quickly create dynamic camera movements around the subject.

Highlights

Introduction to creating Nerf scans using Luma AI, a free tool.

Explanation of Nerf as neural radiance fields for scanning environments.

Advantages of AI in capturing metallic and reflective surfaces.

Demonstration of recording a video using an iPhone for Nerf scanning.

Tips for moving around the subject in circles for comprehensive scanning.

Instructions to pause and read tips from Luma AI before capturing.

Process of uploading the video to Luma labs for scan processing.

Duration of scan processing time, approximately 30 minutes.

Reviewing the scan in the 3D viewport from different angles.

Exporting the scan as a video and setting up a camera animation.

Adjusting the focal length for different camera perspectives.

Creating key frames for the camera animation sequence.

Adjusting the speed and duration of the camera animation.

Distributing key frames for a smoother animation effect.

Rendering the video with options for aspect ratio and resolution.

Using preset camera animations for quick and easy results.

Invitation to download 3D assets from the creator's Blender kit.

Closing with an invitation for questions and a signature sign-off.