In the Just Scan It 3D project, the Institute for TMDT is researching and developing new approaches to make the creation and use of highly realistic 3D reconstructions significantly more accessible, transparent, and versatile. The central question is how complex technologies related to reconstruction methods, such as 3D Gaussian Splatting, can be adapted so that they can be widely used not only in research but also in education, culture, and practice.

Democratizing 3D Reconstruction

A key goal of the project is to make the creation of high-quality 3D reconstructions accessible to a broad audience. Through simplified workflows, clear instructions, and tailored tools, we enable users without in-depth prior knowledge to capture and process their own datasets.

To this end, the project developed and implemented DOME—a capture and acquisition system that enables standardized and reproducible data collection. Combined with multi-stage reconstruction approaches, this creates a structured pathway to different quality levels, allowing for both rapid results and highly precise models.

More Than Just Reconstruction: Evaluability and Trust

Beyond simply creating 3D models, Just Scan It 3D addresses the key challenge of evaluating the quality of reconstructions. To this end, we integrate methods for quantifying uncertainty directly into the reconstruction process to make reconstruction errors visible within the reconstructed scene.

In addition, anomaly detection methods are employed to identify anomalies and potential sources of error in the data. This combination makes it possible not only to generate 3D reconstructions but also to analyze and critically evaluate them—a crucial step for their use in sensitive or quality-critical contexts.

Immersive Approaches and Application Contexts

The 3D data generated by the project is specifically processed and utilized for immersive applications. This creates new ways to engage with complex content, for example in training scenarios, in education, or in the museum and cultural sectors.

Through integration into virtual reality environments and web-based viewers, users can interactively experience, analyze, and contextualize reconstructed objects and scenes. This opens up new forms of learning, teaching, and exploration that go beyond traditional modes of presentation.

Just Scan It 3D combines technological innovation with a clear focus on accessibility, evaluability, and application. The project thus contributes to the sustainable integration of immersive 3D technologies into research, education, and societal practice.