Summary

This is a camera rig for use with Autodesk's 123D Catch software and service. 123D Catch lets you generate a detailed 3D model of an object from a collection of photographs.

The rig described here helps you structure the photos for best results. It lets you spin the camera around the object at a constant height and distance, while the object stays still. You can easily move the camera up and down to get top and bottom angles.

Instructions

The rig requires wooden dowels and some hardware to assemble, but takes about 20 minutes to put together. It breaks down for transport in less than a minute.

You will need:

Wood materials

3x 36" long 1" dia dowel
1x 12" long x 3/4" thick x 2" wide plank
1x 8" x 8" x 3/4" board
1x 6" x 6" x 3/4" board

Printed parts

1x l-brace
1x 3-brace
2x 2-brace
2x 1-brace
1x collar
2x flange
3x shaft collar
1x camera ring
1x camera platform
1x extension arm (optional)

Hardware

38x #8 3/4" construction screws
4x #8 3/4" hex bolt
1x #8 1" hex bolt
5x #8 wing nuts (6x optional)
2x #8 lock washers (3x optional)
1x 1/4" x 3/4" thumbscrew
1x 1/4 washer
2x casters

Assembly steps

Print the plastic parts! The L-brace and the collar piece will benefit from printing with support material enabled. The other pieces print fine without support.
Take one piece of dowel, and cut it into 2x 4" pieces, and 2x 8" pieces
Mark center of 12" plank
Attach l-brace to plank with 4x #8 screws
Place a 4" dowel in each side of the 3-brace
Place an 8" dowel in the middle of the 3-brace
Insert the 8" dowel into the top of the l-brace
Fit a 1-brace onto the free end of the 4" dowels
Bring the one braces down to the plank. Make sure the 4" dowels are tightly seated, into the 3-brace on one end, and a 1-brace on the other end
Attach the 1-braces to the plank using 8x #8 screws
Secure the 4" dowels to the 1-brace and 3-brace by using 4x #8 screws (2 on each side)
Do NOT secure the 8" dowel
Attach the casters to the bottom of the plank using 8X #8 screws
Put a 2-brace on each end of one piece of 8" dowel (do not secure using a screw yet)
Attach the collar to the end of one 36" dowel
Attach the flange to the 8" x 8" board using 4x #8 screws
Attach the other flange to the 6" x 6" board using 4x #8 screws
Assemble the shaft collars by putting a #8 hex bolt through one side, and secure it with a #8 wing nut (do not tighten)
Slide one end of the 8" dowel with the 2-braces over the other 8" dowel (in the 3-brace)
Put a shaft collar on the dowel with the collar, and slide it down towards the center
Fit the long dowel with the collar through the other 2-brace and then through the bottom of the l-brace
Ensure the 2-braces are lined up and secure them with 2x #8 screw
Remove the 8" dowel and place it in the flange, secure it with 1x #8 screw
Put a shaft collar over the 8" dowel in the flange
Put the collar on the end of the long dowel over the short dowel in the flange
Adjust the height of the shaft collar so that the long dowel is level
Place the other long dowel in the top of the 3-brace, threading it through the loose 2-brace
Place the small platform (with flange) over the short dowel that is attached to the bottom plate
Place a shaft collar on the outside of the long horizontal dowel
Assemble the camera adapter by putting a #8 hex bolt through the two tabs, and secure it with a wing nut
Attach the camera platform to the camera adapter with a "1 #8 hex bolt, and placing a lock washer between the adapter ring and the platform. Secure with a wing nut.
Attach the camera mount assembly to the vertical pole by slipping it over and then tightening the wing nut
If you need to get the camera below the level of the target object, use the extension arm between the adapter ring and the camera platform.

Camera Rig for 123D Catch