Hello

I am a traditional 3d puppet animator, think of the Corpse Bride and thats pretty close to what i do. i have an idea for a new peice of animation but i really wanted to use some 3d software to create it, unfortunatly my past few attempts at creating a 3d model on my computer have been quite frankly a disaster. But then i got wondering and thought is there a way of creating a 3d computer model but using my talents as a sculptor. I had a look into it but discovered that i need to spend a stupid amout of money on a 3d scanner, I don't have that kind of money so i was wondering if there was a cheaper option.

Thanks 

Al

look at this thread. 
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2679395

Well If you are willing to spend soem time maybe you can use an old fashioned scanner with an arm thant you go a plot each point into the computer and then you make yrou mesh. More time consuming but these scanners are nto as expensive and still leaves soemethign for the skilled artisan.

You could try ZBrush and Mudbox (or Silo 2 and Hexagon 2) for displacement painting. They provide a method of modeling called displacement painting which has a similar feel to sculpture. However, the models created within them usually are too dense to model from. Alternatives would be to take photographic references (Front, Side, Back, Top) of the object, import those as background images placed in the appropriate views and create your model from those.

That's two ways to try. 

That fantasitc, thanks guys, gonna have a look now and see which is best for my needs

Al

I keep telling myself I'll try this someday, a few bucks, a trip to Bunnings, and probably some hair pulling will be required.
This isnt the only option about for make your own 3d scanner, search the net, remember you have options.
Though I wish I had the bucks for that nifty handheld 3D scanner Weta used for the LOTR Troll.
http://wiki.vislab.usyd.edu.au/moinwiki/LazyScan

Have a look at Claytools. -http://www.sensable.com/products-claytools-system.htm

If you're looking for a low cost, effective 3d scanner you might want to check out this guys software http://www.brucerayne.com/scanz.html you'll need $20-40 laser Digital camera old turn-table (or similar) take care Joe

jdcoke that looks interesting like a cool project. Here and now I don't have the ability to make it but later I will. This is similar to what I was talking about. Some of the old arm scanners where you move the arm and plot a point. Topology looks awful but that is a scanned object for you.

"Topology looks awful". Hee hee, yeah, you ain't gonna get super accurate results with a home made scanner project. Of course the thing to do these days is import the scanned mesh into a 3d sculpting program like Silo or Zbrush, refine it and then do some re-topolgy. Blender 2.44 can do it all, if you're willing to learn the interface. later