3D Scan your Environment with AI (Free Tool)

Nik Kottmann
9 Dec 202304:16

TLDRIn this tutorial, the presenter demonstrates how to create NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields) scans using Luma AI, a free tool that employs artificial intelligence to scan environments and produce stunning camera animations. Unlike traditional photogrammetry, NeRF can capture metallic and reflective surfaces. The process begins by recording a video of the subject using a smartphone, moving around it in circles to capture various angles and heights. After uploading the video to Luma Labs, the scan is processed, and the user can view and manipulate it in a 3D viewport. The presenter then guides viewers through creating a camera animation by setting keyframes and adjusting the focal length for different perspectives. The animation can be customized or generated using preset camera animations. Finally, the video is rendered in the desired aspect ratio and resolution, with the option to use custom or preset camera paths. The presenter also offers a free download of the 3D assets used in the tutorial.

Takeaways

  • 🎥 **Using Luma AI for NeRF Scans**: The video demonstrates how to create NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields) scans using a free tool called Luma AI.
  • 📱 **Equipment Needed**: You don't need an expensive camera to create NeRF scans; an iPhone can be used for recording.
  • 🔄 **Capturing the Subject**: To scan, move around the subject in circles at least three times, varying heights to capture different perspectives.
  • ⏸️ **Tips from Luma AI**: There are specific tips provided by Luma AI to pause and read before capturing the video.
  • đź“Š **Uploading and Processing**: After recording, upload the video to Luma Labs to start the scanning process, which takes around 30 minutes.
  • đź‘€ **3D Viewport**: Once the scan is done, you can view it from various angles in the 3D viewport.
  • đź“ą **Camera Animation**: To export as a video, create a camera animation by setting focal length and adding keyframes for the desired camera path.
  • ⏳ **Adjusting Animation Speed**: If the animation is too fast, you can extend the duration of keyframes to slow it down.
  • 🖥️ **Rendering the Video**: Choose the aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate for the final video and render it.
  • 🚀 **Pre-set Camera Animations**: For convenience, use pre-set camera animations like 'orbit' or 'oscillate' for quick camera movement.
  • đź“š **Further Learning**: The creator, Nick, encourages viewers to ask questions in the comments and offers free 3D assets on his Blender Kit profile.

Q & A

  • What does the term '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 camera animations.

  • What is the main advantage of using Luma AI for scanning compared to traditional photogrammetry?

    -Luma AI utilizes artificial intelligence, allowing the capture of metallic and reflective surfaces, which can be challenging with traditional photogrammetry.

  • What device did the presenter use to record the video for the NeRF scan?

    -The presenter used an iPhone to record the video for the NeRF scan.

  • How many times should one move around the subject when recording the video?

    -One should move around the subject at least three times to cover different perspectives.

  • What is the approximate time it takes for the scan to be processed on Luma labs servers?

    -The scan usually takes around 30 minutes to be processed on Luma labs servers.

  • How can one view the 3D scan after it has been processed?

    -After the scan is processed, one can view it in the 3D viewport on Luma labs.

  • What is the first step in creating a camera animation for the NeRF scan?

    -The first step is to set the focal length of the camera by adjusting the value to desired zoom level.

  • How does one add a key frame to the camera animation?

    -To add a key frame, place the camera where you want to start, click the 'add key frame' button, then move the camera to the next desired position and add another key frame.

  • What can be done to make the camera animation longer?

    -To make the animation longer, one can extend the duration of the key frames on the timeline by dragging them to increase the time.

  • What are the options for rendering the video?

    -One can choose the aspect ratio, set a custom one, select the resolution (e.g., full HD), and set the frame rate (e.g., 30 FPS) before rendering.

  • How can one use preset camera animations in Luma AI?

    -One can go to 'trajectories' and choose from presets like 'orbit' for a rotating camera or 'oscillate' for a camera with a bit of movement.

  • Where can viewers find the 3D assets created in the video?

    -The 3D assets can be downloaded for free from the presenter's Blender Kit profile, with the link provided in the video description.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Creating Nerf Scans with Luma AI

The video tutorial begins with a welcome back message and an introduction to the process of creating Nerf (Neural Radiance Fields) scans using Luma AI, a free tool. The host explains that Nerf scanning is a novel method for scanning environments to produce impressive camera animations. Unlike traditional photogrammetry, it leverages AI to capture metallic and reflective surfaces. The host shares their recent work using this technique for a client and instructs viewers to record a video of the subject using any camera, emphasizing that an expensive one is not necessary. The video recording should involve circling the subject three times at varying heights to capture it from multiple perspectives. The host also advises pausing the video to read tips from Luma AI before starting to capture.

Mindmap

Keywords

đź’ˇNerf scans

Nerf scans, which stands for Neural Radiance Fields, is a technique used to scan an environment and create 3D representations. It is a relatively new method that uses artificial intelligence to capture not just the geometry but also the lighting and reflective properties of a scene. In the video, the host demonstrates how to create Nerf scans using a free tool called Luma AI, which is significant as it allows for the capture of metallic and reflective surfaces that traditional photogrammetry might struggle with.

đź’ˇLuma AI

Luma AI is a free tool that facilitates the creation of Nerf scans. It is highlighted in the video as a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for generating 3D scans of environments. The tool is used to upload and process video recordings, which are then converted into 3D scans that can be manipulated and animated within the Luma AI platform.

đź’ˇArtificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is utilized by Luma AI to process the video recordings and create detailed 3D scans. It enables the tool to understand and replicate complex surfaces and lighting conditions, which would be challenging for non-AI driven software.

đź’ˇPhotogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the science of making measurements from photographs, especially for recovering the exact positions of surface points. In the video, traditional photogrammetry is contrasted with the AI-driven Nerf scanning method. While photogrammetry can create 3D models from a series of 2D images, it may have limitations with certain surfaces like metal or reflective materials, which Nerf scanning aims to overcome.

đź’ˇMetallic and Reflective Surfaces

Metallic and reflective surfaces are materials that are known for their ability to reflect light, which can make them difficult to accurately capture in 3D scans using traditional methods. The video emphasizes that the Luma AI tool is capable of scanning such surfaces due to its AI-driven approach, which is a significant advancement in the field of 3D scanning.

đź’ˇ3D Viewport

A 3D viewport is a user interface element in 3D modeling and animation software where users can view and interact with a 3D scene. In the video, once the Nerf scan is processed, the host uses the 3D viewport in Luma AI to review the scan from various angles, showcasing the versatility and detail of the AI-generated 3D model.

đź’ˇCamera Animation

Camera animation refers to the process of creating movement and changes in the viewpoint of a camera shot within a 3D environment or animation. The video script describes how to set up keyframes for the camera within the Luma AI tool to create dynamic and engaging animations that can be exported as videos.

đź’ˇKeyframes

Keyframes are points in an animation timeline that define the starting position of an object or the camera. In the context of the video, the host demonstrates how to add keyframes to the camera animation within the Luma AI interface to create a sequence of movements that the camera will follow during the animation.

đź’ˇRendering

Rendering is the process of generating a 2D image or video from a model or scene composed of 3D objects. The video explains that once the camera animation is set up, the host can start rendering the video, choosing the aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate to export the final animation.

đź’ˇAspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and the height of an image or screen. In the video, when rendering the video, the host can choose from different aspect ratios or set a custom one, which determines the shape and dimensions of the final video output.

đź’ˇFull HD

Full HD, also known as 1080p, is a resolution format with 1920 horizontal lines of pixels and 1080 vertical lines of pixels. In the video, the host chooses Full HD as the resolution for rendering the video, which ensures high quality and clarity in the final output.

đź’ˇPresets

Presets are pre-defined settings or configurations that can be used to quickly apply a certain look or behavior without manually adjusting individual parameters. In the video, the host mentions using preset camera animations such as 'orbit' and 'oscillate' within Luma AI to quickly create common camera movement patterns.

Highlights

Luma AI is a free tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to create 3D scans of environments.

Nerf (Neural Radiance Fields) is a new method for scanning environments and creating camera animations.

A high-end camera is not necessary; an iPhone can be used to record the subject for scanning.

To capture a Nerf scan, move around the subject in circles, covering different heights for various perspectives.

Luma AI provides tips for capturing the best scan, which can be paused and read before starting.

The scan processing time on Luma AI servers usually takes around 30 minutes.

After processing, the scan can be viewed from all angles in the 3D viewport.

Exporting the scan as a video requires setting up a camera animation with keyframes.

The focal length of the camera can be adjusted for different zoom levels in the animation.

Keyframes can be added to create a path for the camera, allowing for custom animations.

The animation speed can be adjusted by changing the duration of keyframes on the timeline.

Rendering the video involves choosing the aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate.

Presets like 'orbit' and 'oscillate' can be used for quick camera animations.

The tutorial demonstrates how to create a smooth and visually appealing camera animation.

Nick, the presenter, offers to answer any further questions in the comment section.

3D assets created in the tutorial are available for free download on the presenter's Blender Kit profile.

The video description contains a link to download the 3D assets used in the tutorial.