From Small to Spectacular: Macroscans Transforms Tiny Scans with Mimaki 3D Printing Technology

Models created with a Mimaki 3DUJ-553 full-colour 3D printer have helped high fidelity 3D scanning business, Macroscans transform scans of tiny insects into large-scale prints. Critical to the project was the ability to preserve the pin-sharp detail that the company’s founder, Felix Dodd, was originally able to capture. By combining Macroscans’ advanced scanning with output from the Mimaki 3D printer, Dodd was able to unlock a new way to explore the unseen natural world, scaling tiny creatures and objects to reveal details that would otherwise go unnoticed. The new approach not only exceeds the limits of macro photography or microscopic imaging, but also allows anyone to explore this hidden dimension of life with extraordinary clarity and scale.

A breakthrough in digital realism

Macroscans began as a personal project during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, born out of Dodd’s ambition to push the boundaries of digital realism. Prior to embarking on his Macroscans journey, Dodd was already providing high level solutions in the tech world, creating virtual reality (VR) software for the construction sector, as well as working with Epic Games, known for titles like Fortnite and Unreal Engine.

Dodd’s collaborative VR tool for the construction industry uses high-realism photogrammetry, which enables users to immerse themselves in virtual models of buildings and urban spaces. This breakthrough technology gives architectural design a new level of interaction, with users exploring virtual worlds in highly immersive detail.

Photo: www.macroscans.com – 3D scan presented in VR as a scale model

Raising the bar in scan quality

Dodd sets a rigorous quality threshold for his scans, maintaining at least 1:1 texture fidelity at a one-metre distance in VR. In practical terms, this means that textures viewed from a metre away in VR remain crisp without any blur. This standard led Dodd to ask, “If we can achieve 1:1 fidelity at a metre, why can’t we take it further to enhance real-world 3D scans?”

He then began to tackle this by experimenting with various techniques such as focus-stacking. This approach allowed him to overcome the shallow depth of field typical of macro lenses, capturing intricate textures with exceptional clarity. Put simply, any subject captured with a macro lens results in denser 3D texture pixels (or texels) than a 1:1 ratio. This technique enabled Dodd to significantly enhance the fidelity of his scans, preserving every minute detail in high-definition textures that could then be 3D printed by the Mimaki as physical models.

“The micro world is currently perceived through macro photography or microscope imagery only,” said Dodd. “With the new process, we now have a way of bringing this part of our world to life in an immersive experience. I saw how my children reacted to the huge insects in a VR environment, with much more interest and regard for the creature, which suggested there’s an educational dimension to the project as well. I was keen to take things on another step by creating the physical models to interact with.”

Revolutionising 3D printing

When Dodd approached Hybrid Services, Mimaki’s distributor for the UK and Ireland, to discuss his idea of printing the larger-than-life insect models, the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 full-colour 3D printer emerged as the perfect solution. With its ability to print in 10 million colours and reproduce highly detailed textures, the 3DUJ-553 was uniquely equipped to replicate the intricate details Macroscans required.

In addition to enabling Macroscans’ vision, the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 supports a wide range of applications. Its ultra-thin, 20-micron layers result in extraordinary prints which have revolutionised prototyping and modelling processes. Through the 3D printer’s ability to create lifelike models in full colour, it is the ideal solution for applications that range from gaming avatars to complex medical models, and sophisticated product prototypes.

Bringing the unseen to life

For Macroscans, the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 was the breakthrough needed to turn the company’s visionary 3D scans into engaging, tangible models. The Mimaki’s precision and colour fidelity allowed the company to capture and present the smallest, most intricate features of natural objects at any scale, enriching the educational and creative perspectives on the wonders of the hidden world.

By combining state-of-the-art scanning with full-colour 3D printing, Macroscans and Mimaki have redefined the limits of what’s possible, revealing an environment that would otherwise remain invisible. Through this collaboration, Macroscans has opened doors to a deeper appreciation of the microscopic world, making even the tiniest details of nature accessible in colourful and three-dimensional form.