A volumetric video or a hologram for that matter is the child of 3D scanning of an object, person or space. 3D scanning on the other hand is a process that captures 3D space or objects in the sense that they all have width, height as well as depth. The resulting render can be viewed from any angle.
Volumetric videos and holograms are achieved using different technologies from using a simple 3D camera app to the big boy league that is volumetric video studios.
Getting Volumetric Videos Right
Now that you have working knowledge of what they are, here some tips on what to look out for to get you started;
Background
The trick to getting the background is avoiding solid blues and greens. Look for subjects with distinct foreground and background elements. Interesting and varied backgrounds and foregrounds are optimal. Essentially, you want your content to split evenly among a couple of layers of varying distance.
Camera Settings
If you are using a professional set up of multiple cameras, make sure each camera in your rig has the same focal length and that auto-focus is turned off. Perhaps the most important part is making sure all the cameras have the same start and stop times.
When using a mobile 3d imaging camera, you basically are the camera rig so make sure you can freely move around the subject and are able to capture all its aspects alright.
Lighting
It’s no secret lighting is the key to half decent photography. The goal is to have diffused, even lighting throughout the set up. What to avoid would be hotspots, spotlights and of course low lighting.
Camera Specs
Camera quality and content quality are directly proportional. The better the camera, the higher the quality you get. A depth-sensing camera would be advised but isn’t paramount. Fish-eye lenses are however a no-go zone.
Subject
Ensure you capture every single detail of the star of the show. If you are capturing a 3D render of someone, yourself perhaps, ensure that you capture the back and top of the head, behind the ears, feet, torso and the back area. These areas are notorious for getting forgotten in 3D scanning.
There really isn’t enough wisdom I could dispatch on 3D scanning done right but if you follow those tips, you will be good to go. Oh right, limit shiny stuff like jewelry, glasses, drip and what not. They do not capture well.
If you are looking to get started on creating volumetric videos and aren’t sure which way to go, here is a little something to guide you to hologram paradise;
High-End Volumetric Video Capture
Anything in this category is top of the line, head of the table stuff when it comes to capturing volumetric videos and content. This technology is mostly implemented in a volumetric video studio with professional equipment and rigs. Equipment is usually set up around the subject such that the performance or object is captured from every possible angle and then converted into holograms.
More than a hundred cameras are used to capture holograms. The results – being incredibly realistic – usually are worth the hype and can in no way whatsoever be compared to renders from simple 3d camera apps.
Pros
The quality of the content produced is outstanding and these studios are usually nice enough to offer support for their clients.
Cons
It may cost you an arm and a leg, well maybe not literally but they indeed are quite expensive. The technology in use as well as operational costs involved in studio shooting explains the high costs of production. For contrast, something low cost would only require a mobile 3d imaging camera and none of that high-end studio shenanigans.
Sensor-Based Volumetric Video Capture
This technology is a bit more accessible and involves using depth sensing cameras which have depth and motion sensing technology infused in them.
Pros
Depth-sensing cameras are quite affordable and there is a solid community base for this particular technology. It is even possible to capture a full-blown 3D scan of a performance with cameras in different angles.
Cons
Holograms solely from this technology are perhaps not as realistic and life-like as those from volumetric video studios.
Mobile device capture
3d camera apps make up this kind of technology which by the way is the newest kid on the block. It’s just using apps to create 3D scans and renders on your mobile phone.
Pros
It is the most accessible technology needing only a mobile phone and a 3D app.
Cons
Because there is only one camera in play, the back side of the render is done via machine learning so it may not be as realistic.