T63. 3D Scanning and Construction with Nic Ma

In this workshop, participants will explore a digital image making workflow based on 3D scanning and virtual photography, moving from capture to final rendered print. The session guides the complete process of constructing a photographic image that does not depend on a physical camera.Using a 3D scanner app on the iPhone, participants will create multiple scans of objects and spaces, export them as OBJ files, and import them into Adobe 3D Stager. Inside the software, they will arrange elements, define artificial lighting, and control the virtual camera, focusing on how perspective, focal length, and viewpoint operate in a simulated environment.The emphasis is on understanding how decisions made during scanning, composition, and rendering shape the final outcome. The workshop concludes with rendering and inkjet printing, completing the full cycle from digital capture to physical output.

Outline

1. Introduction and briefing
2. 3D scanning session around the festival using an iPhone and 3D scanner app
3. File organization and export of scans as OBJ files, transfer to computer
4. Demonstration of Adobe 3D Stager
5. Hands-on construction and arrangement of scans in Adobe 3D Stager
6. Introduction to artificial lighting and virtual camera controls
7. Practical work with lighting position and camera settings
8. Image rendering and export
9. Inkjet printing of the final work

Participants must bring:

• A mobile phone equipped with 3D scanner App, with its functionality tested (simply press the record button to check that images are being captured).
• Other 3D scanning apps are also acceptable, as long as the option to export in OBJ format is available from the mobile phone.