Nextengine 3d Scanner - Output To Web

[krisbfunk]

I am using the NextEngine 3D scanner with bundled ScanStudio software. The required end result of the single models are low poly (15,000 or less) for interactive web display (rotate & zoom) via flash using Blaze 3D or WireFusion as the Java3D/Flash export.

My typical problems with direct models out of ScanStudio are: no camera, no lights and extremely high poly models. From tests done so far, just exporting models as OBJ and importing into any editor, setting the camera positioning / directional lighting and then viewing with a 3D viewer .. the model materials appear metallic with specular glare and generally dark. Will flipping the normals and modifying the individual materials shading coefficients be sufficient for even lighting?

I am aware of Polytrans for poly reduction, which seems to plugins for Maya/Max/XSI & also stand-alone software which may help achieve models of good size that can be used for my application needs. Does anyone have experience in this?

Any suggestions or recommendations you could make would be appreciated.

[digitcat]

Haven't any experience with Next Engine. But I use Artec Eva and think that the process would be similar. To get low poly, you should make a retopology, by hand(takes tons of time, provides best quality if you have skill) or automagically (I like Zbrush Zremesher), Than you have to make uv map, (scanners provides a terrible one) bale normal map, bake colour map. Than you should make textures on base of your pre-baked colour map. For sure you have to add cameras and light sources you need manually.