Abstract: Image processing techniques for determining print quality for a 3D printer are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining an image of material jetted from a nozzle of the 3D printer. The method also includes binarizing the image to distinguish background features from foreground features contained in the image. The method also includes determining, by a processing device, a jetting quality based on the binarized image.

Abstract: Techniques for determining print quality for a 3D printer are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining an image of a stream of material jetted from a nozzle of the 3D printer, and binarizing the image to distinguish background features from foreground features contained in the image. The method also includes identifying elements of jetted material in the foreground features, and computing statistical data characterizing the identified elements. The method also includes generating a quality score of jetting quality based on the statistical data and controlling the 3D printer based on the quality score. The quality score indicates a degree to which the elements of jetted material form droplets of a same size, shape, alignment, and jetting frequency.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing an image on a substrate, applying an adhesive on select portions of the image, coupling the image to a wave guide such that the adhesive contacts a surface of the wave guide, and providing a light through the wave guide such that the light is emitted through the wave guide and the adhesive and the light is reflected by the select portions of the image back through the adhesive and the wave guide.

Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another at a constant velocity to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer use positional data from an encoder to control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer use positional data from an encoder to control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another at a constant velocity to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing an image on a substrate, applying an adhesive on select portions of the image, coupling the image to a wave guide such that the adhesive contacts a surface of the wave guide, and providing a light through the wave guide such that the light is emitted through the wave guide and the adhesive and the light is reflected by the select portions of the image back through the adhesive and the wave guide.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for systems and methods for applying a 3D scan of a physical target object to a virtual environment. Embodiments described herein focus particularly on examples where a 3D scan of a person's head (or part thereof) are to be applied to a virtual body in the virtual environment. In some implementations, this is used to provide realistic faces and facial expressions to virtual characters in a video game environment. In overview, some embodiments make use of a hybrid approach including surface analysis for the generation of a 3D scan, and relatively traditional motion capture (mocap) technology for providing spatial context for association with the 3D scan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing virtual objectives in a video game. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for providing a “treasure hunt” style functionality to a video game, whereby distributed players compete to locate a uniquely discoverable object. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing the production of video-based animation, described particularly by reference to the example of free-viewpoint video-based animation. In overview, hardware, software, facilities and protocols described herein allow known and subsequently developed video-based animation techniques to be implemented in commercial environments in an improved manner, particularly as compared with the manner in which such techniques are implemented in a research and development environment.