I am taking about something like this:

https://www.regentantiques.com/itemD...-Bust-of-Diana

The process is simple, take 4 pictures of someone at special angles, scan them (Linux can), pass them with through a special software (does it exists for Linux?), print them on a 3D printer (Linux can also).

Can it be done with Linux or must I install other, less friendly, system in a VM just for that single use and purpose?

I don't know if I'd describe the process as "simple" but there's a tool chain for sure. See for example https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Featu...ed_Description

Check this article out --> Papercraft using CAD.

Blender is an amazing tool. However it has a high learning curve. I have seen people take 3D mesh ripped from their games and print out full color patterns on paper and glue it together. Never tried this myself because it is never simple or easy.

For example; http://www.instructables.com/id/Halo-Armor/

Or this; http://www.papermodelsonline.com/allpapermodels.html

Good luck with your new hobby!

Well, I meant conceptually simple.

I will look at all those programs you suggested. Well... not all of them. I already know a few of them and they won't do.

For example, Blender won't do. It is a great program for making 2D projections of 3D objects or landscapes, but I need an actual 3D object in an real STL file for printing an actual physical, 3D object in a 3D printer.

I don't even want a 3D projection of a 2D image, such as I can get by using two cameras with Gimp. No, I need the actual 3D face to be printed out by a Prusa I3 class printer.

Also, I cannot use OpenSCAD either. While it will generate actual 3D objects, it does so with union and difference of basic geometric shapes and a human face cannot be reduced to that.

By the way, this is not a new hobby. It is just something I need for a gift.

Thanks for your replies, unSpawn and Simon T.

Take a look:

http://sinkhacks.com/a-3d-scanned-an...ust-of-myself/

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Blender 2.57a is what I have been using to make and modify existing DAE and STL files. Sometimes importing the STL will really whack their scale out of proportion so know your size and scale. The N key should bring up your size adaptions after clicking on the Scene icon that's in a group of tools to the right side of the 3D environment.
Open Blender, click File top left, click User Preferences, click the Add-on tab and check the file types you would like to import and export from Blender, click the Apply button and you should be good to go.

That's what I'm here for although I may have to start a thread as my situation has a little depth.


I'm still in the Blender learning curve but have followed tutorials to make short animated videos and 3D print projects, can't say I'm good but I'm getting better.

It will help if you have a Navidia graphics drivers or can use Cuda from what I understand. Blender works on 8 channels so an octo core processor is more likely to access more ability with the program. I'm working with an I3 processor so there's a narrow margin I get to play within but cuda may help me adapt my graphics driver for a little better performance.

Best of luck to you, Blender gets to be more fun after learning a little about it.

And I thought I was helping, I should read more posts! LOL!

Have a look at "vsfm" which is essentially an implementation of what is known as 'structure from motion'.
It incorporates a number of bits of software to arrive at a 3D representation of an object from multiple images.

Cheers,
Terry

no it WILL

you missed the CAMERA TRACKING that was added in years ago
http://www.blenderguru.com/tutorials...mera-tracking/
and see
http://arc-team-open-research.blogsp...ng-python.html


but if you want to go the hard-way

Build Bundler
http://www.cs.cornell.edu/~snavely/bundler/

there is even a old blender plugin to import "bundler.out" files
every camera and all


for an example
so this is a bit out of date
http://blenderartists.org/forum/show...ry-Toolbox-GUI


or this thread from a few months ago
http://blenderartists.org/forum/show...res-to-3d-mesh