Art and Research Mixing with the Help of 3D Scanning
The medical field advances even further with 3d technology
Vic McEwan started his Ph.D. with the intent of studying patients who had facial paralysis. He used 3D laser scanning to scan each patient, but after doing so, he found there was a much deeper meaning than just studying the faces.
3D laser scanning was able to capture an emotional detail that the patients could not describe themselves. He found it so amazing he created art from these scans. After spending a year setting up an interactive installation at the Tate Liverpool Museum, guests were able to walk in and use the Artec Eva.
The Artec Eva is a 3D laser scanning device that allows guests to scan their faces and compare them with someone who has facial paralysis. The goal of this gallery is to not only collect information to study but bring awareness through art.
Right now, due to the COVID-19 virus, the gallery is not open. Hopefully, guests will soon be able to continue to use this fantastic technology. This will not only help Ewan in his research but focus attention on people with facial paralysis.
This will show the similarities between someone with and without facial paralysis. 3D laser scanning will enable everyone to see the emotions that are not visible to the human eye but something that the technology can pick up rather quickly.
Mixing art with 3D laser scanning combines a stunning pair to deliver research results unexpectedly. Something others have not done, and something that we could never have imagined. This could set a new trend throughout the medical field and create new approaches to studying people and patients.
What is 3D laser scanning
This technology uses a device to take rapid pictures of an object or, in this case, a person’s face. It collects microscopic details that may go unnoticed by a human. It collects things like sizes and dimensions, texture, color, and everything in between like tiny hair follicles.
Once the data is collected, the information is stored in the cloud, where it can be saved forever as a future reference. Researchers are then able to create accurate and precise records that can be used for research. This information can be transferred to a partnering system where it can be edited, sent across the world, turned into 3D models like art, or developed into virtual reality.
3D laser scanning is so versatile it is becoming one of the most adopted tools throughout the globe. It creates a way for people to interact differently with the information that has been gathered, making it appealing to the everyday consumer.
Final thoughts
As the Ph.D. candidate collects more data to provide consumers with awareness on conditions like facial paralysis the more, we will be accepting of those who have it. Using an interactive display that not only creates a meaningful art piece but helps research move forward is one of the most brilliant ways to collect information.
3D laser scanning has been proven as a useful tool in many fields. As it evolves more, it will continue to spread awareness of important issues. Consumers and researchers are using this technology to spread positivity throughout our world.