Clean up a 3D scan made with the Occipital Structure scanner

The 3D files from the Structure scanner often have holes and unwanted geometry. After following this guide you'll get a watertight model that is ready for (colour) 3D printing. A basic understanding of mesh manipulation in Blender is necessary. This guide uses Meshmixer, but here is a guide that describes this process for Blender.

The structure scanner delivers the 3D object in 3 parts:

1. Model.obj is the 3D object
2. Model.jpg is the texture file
3. Model.mtl is a file that links the object to the texture.

You only have to open the .obj file. The program will find the other files on its own:

1. Click 'Import' and select the .obj file. Alternatively go to File > Import.

1. Orient the model upright: Edit > Transform.
2. Cut away unwanted geometry: Edit > Plane Cut.

Objects from the structure scanner come in overlapping parts. This might cause problems for 3D printing.

1. Join the disconnected sections (blue lines indicate boundaries): Edit > Close Cracks.

1. In Select mode, click anywhere on the part you want to keep.
2. Expand the selection to all connected vertices: e.
3. Invert the selection: i.
4. Delete the loose parts: x.

1. Save your project(!)

1. Make the mesh solid: Edit > Make Solid.
   1. Set the solid type to Accurate
   2. Increase Solid Accuracy and Mesh Density until you're happy with the result. Press Accept.