Meet your Mini-Me in Malad

Pics/Kirti Surve Parade

As we step into Atul Bachhav's 3D scanning studio tucked away in an inconspicuous alley in Malad on a busy evening, we realise we might have dropped by at an inconvenient hour. Inside, Bachhav is in the middle of what looks like a workout session, holding a pose in full gym gear, complete with a sweatband and running shoes. A hand taps on our shoulder from behind, we turn, it's Bachhav, the founder of Ideazzzz Creative Studio, and a creative director with over two decades of experience in graphics and animation.

What we were greeted by at the door is a miniature resin clone of the founder; one of the many that sit on the front desk to market the studio's new service - 3D printed life-like miniatures. Call it eerie, call it creative, or call it genius; for now, it's time to witness how these miniatures come to life in three working days.

1 The subject steps into the 360-degree camera set up illuminated by LED strips. The proprietary set-up comprises 95 cameras - nine DSLRs that capture the head and neck area, and smaller digital cameras that capture the subject's body from all angles. The founder directs, "capture!". In a single click, the scan is complete.

2 Following a 15-minute compilation process, the scanned images are now presented as a rough consolidated 3D model on a computer. This software was developed in-house by the studio to get quick previews of the scan. We learn that in cases where the subject moves during the capture, leading to an unsatisfactory 3D model, the scan must be repeated.

3 Using a visual reference, the rough model is worked upon by a trained technician in a process called re-topology. The 3D model is smoothened and any stray artefacts are removed to produce a cleaner model (right). To simplify this process, the studio recommends wearing basic outfits and holding back on accessories that might have dangling elements.

4 The digital model is sent to a portable 3D printer that prints the model layer-by-layer using a resin-based compound. Fifteen long hours, and 4,548 0.5 mm thin layers later, the nine-inch-long model is ready for further processing.

5 To harden the soft and flexible resin model that is prone to breakage at this point, a process called UV curing follows. Ten minutes of basking in UV light inside a portable chamber, and the model is ready.

6 The model, along with a reference video, is sent to local painters who use acrylic paints to replicate the finer details. We learn that these artists belong to the same communities that paint Ganesh idols during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the city. A few final touches, and you have a mini version that will last as long as a year on your desk.

Three Ds to remember

Miniatures at the studio

. Do not wipe the models with strong cleaning solutions. A clean dry cloth works best.
. Do not expose the model to high temperatures at places like car dashboards. Keep them in cool and dry environments for a longer life.
. Do not tug on parts of the model; resin models can fall apart when subjected to strain.

Atul Bachhav

AT Inf Ideazzzz Creative, Lotus Business Park, off Swami Vivekananda Road, opposite Dal Mill Compound, Malad West.
CALL 9867071434 (for queries)
COST Rs 15,000 onwards (prices differ by model size and complexity)