Ever felt lost in a sea of file types when using your 3D scanner? You're not alone! Our 3D scanners capture a ton of different data during a scan, and all those file extensions can get a bit confusing. You might be wondering, 'What in the world is an ASC file?' or 'Which file do I need to move if I want to pick up my scan where I left off on a different computer?' Don't worry, we've got you covered! This article will walk you through all the file types you'll encounter with EinScan software, making your scanning experience much smoother.
When you're working with our EinScan software, you'll encounter different ways to save your scan data, depending on where you are in the scanning process. There are six main output formats available.
Initial Scan Data (Point Cloud)
After your initial scan is complete and you've generated a point cloud (which is essentially a collection of individual points representing the surface of your object), you can hit 'save'. At this stage, you'll typically save your scan data as an "ASC file". If you used markers during your scan, their positions will be saved separately as a "P3" file.
What are ASC and P3 files?
- ASC files store the precise location (X, Y, Z coordinates) of every single point in your point cloud. Think of it as a detailed map of your scanned object. These files are pretty versatile and can be opened by most scan data processing and metrology software, like Meshmixer, GOM Inspect, and Geomagic Essentials.
- P3 files are super handy for reusing markers within EinScan. Imagine you're scanning a really big object. You can scan all your markers first, save them as a P3 file, and then scan the object in smaller sections. Later, you can bring all those sections together, and the P3 file will ensure everything lines up perfectly, saving you from a lot of alignment headaches and improving accuracy.
After Meshing
Once you've processed your point cloud and created a mesh (which connects all those points to form a solid surface), you'll have even more saving options. You can still save as an ASC file, but you'll also be able to save your mesh as common 3D formats like STL, PLY, OBJ, or 3MF files.
The STL file is probably the most widely used format for 3D mesh data. It's fantastic for manufacturing because it primarily stores the geometry of your object, specifically, the positions and normal directions of all the little triangles that make up your mesh. This simplicity makes it a favorite for 3D printing and can be opened by most mesh editing software and even many CAD (Computer-Aided Design) programs, like Solid Edge, for tasks such as reverse engineering.
If you're looking to add visual richness to your 3D models, PLY and OBJ files are your go-to options. Unlike STL, these formats can also store texture information in addition to the mesh's shape. This is super useful if you want to create realistic digital documentation or display your 3D models online with their original colors and patterns.
The 3MF file is a newer, more advanced 3D manufacturing format developed by the 3MF Consortium. It's designed to be a significant improvement over STL because it can embed a lot more information directly into the file, such as material properties, colors, and other data that STL simply can't handle. Both Windows operating systems and various CAD software are capable of opening and working with this versatile mesh format, making it a powerful choice for modern 3D workflows.
The EinScan software comes with handy tools for editing your 3D meshes, located in the 'Post Processing' and 'Measurement' sections. Most users jump into these features right after they've created their mesh data. But here's a neat trick: you can also bring in mesh data from other sources for editing! Our EinScan software is flexible and supports importing meshes in STL, OBJ, and PLY formats for all your post-processing and measurement needs.
Project group and project
When you start a new scan in EinScan software, it organizes your work in a smart, two-part system. First, you'll create a project group and choose where you want to save it on your computer. Then, once you've set all your scanning preferences, a new project will be created within that group. Think of it this way: everything related to your scan – all the files and data – will be neatly stored in a folder named after your project group, right in the location you picked. For instance, if you're using the EinScan Pro 2X in handheld rapid scan mode, your project will be set up like this.
Inside your project group folder, you'll find three main types of files. Think of it like this:
- The Project Group Directory: This file acts as the main hub, connecting all the individual scanning projects you've created within that group.
- The Project Directory: Each project also has its own directory, which links to all the actual scan data files belonging specifically to that project.
- Project Data Files: These are the actual files containing your scan data, like your point clouds and meshes.
Moving your work:
If you ever need to move your entire project group to a different location (maybe to another computer or a different drive), it's important to move the entire folder. Don't just pick and choose individual files, or things might get disconnected.
Opening your project:
When you want to open either a project group or a specific project, you'll need to navigate to where you saved the main folder and then open the appropriate directory file. This tells the software where all the connected pieces of your scan are located.