Task: 3D scan from Ponyheads

For some time I try to figure out how to scan pony heads in 3D?
Therefor I talked with different Daimler colleagues and they all agreed: Statically no problem, but a breathing pony head - fascinating task.  So, okay thank you and all that without little knowledge in 3D scanning. But there was one colleague - who knows - who did some research and made contact to a small company. He also talked to the owner and assured me about his reliability.
Makerlounge 3D-Studio and he advertizes with scans from live animals.
Last Sunday it happend. Stefan Nitz came from Goslar. I was a little nervous, but: it was a very pleasant adventure.

Stefan Nitz from Makerlounge says Hello to Pepe

My preparations with the ponys were: Trying to get the hair out of the face. Therefor I braided the hair, so that it will be easier to remove them from the 3D scan. The goal is to have the heads printed out as accurate as possible. For the most exact adjustment of the prototypes.
The Ponys should stand still. So how to achieve that. We started with Pepe as an easy guinea pig:
1. I stand beside him and holded the hair away - it didn't worked.
2. I kneeled beside him and hold him in my arms - he fall asleep in my arms and he was very heavy. So also not a practically idea especially for the bigger ones.

Trial with Moritz

The next picture I like very much. The clever Haflinger didn't understand what I want from him: STAND STILL! But you can see my joy and proudness -- Clever boy, doesn't make it easier.
We don't have pictures with Point. During the whole process suddenly he stands in the middle and dozed. Stefan Nitz took the chance and the first good scan was fetched.

Therefor we came to the following solution. I don't like it from an optical way.

Lashing with two ropes

But there was more to do. At the beginning we tried to be calm. But the right way was a smooth way of talking. And one after the other dozed of. Stefan Nitz is a very calm person with a soft voice. Quite perfect for the handling with ponies.

A look over the shoulder

I have never seen something like that

The data were send to me last week and the colleaques from Ars Electronica Future Lab showed me how they look like.

Moritz in the scan

Point in the scan

Pepe in the scan, in one case in my arms

Next task: Who is printing the Pony head in 1:1?
Stays facinating!

The communicating pony head

Which parts of the Ponyhead are expressional and thereby involved in the communication process? With the following pictures I try to highlight the spots.

Ear: Posture of the ear, root and top of the ear

Eye: Posture of the pupil. The area at the front at above
the eye can move.

Nostrils: Opening and muscles around the nostrils. 

All signals together are giving the hole picture.

Three examples with Point:

On guard, because Pepe hold his halter with his teeth.
Fun can get serious very fast.

Point is in pain. The whole muscles around the nuzzles are cramped.
The lips are pressed closed together.

He is concentrated but relaxed. The jaws are tight,
because he is eating. Nuzzles are relaxed.

Pepe after jogging: Relaxed and satisfied.

Attentive, but not alarmed. Both turn the head, both each has one 
ear and Moritz also an eye to the front.

The whole body language signals, no stress. All Ponys
have one ear to the camera.

For our project I focus on the Ponyhead. But of course a Pony has a lot more to communicate with!