2. Digital bodies

Research & Ideation

• Image References ref1 ref2 ref3 ref4 ref5 ref6

Digital Bodies is the process of capturing the human body using digital tools such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and body-mapping software. It allows us to create accurate virtual models of ourselves that can be used for fashion, animation, virtual fitting, prototyping, or digital art.

• What I Wanted to Learn

I wanted to understand how the body can be scanned, recreated, and edited in a digital environment, and how these digital models can be used for design and visualization.

What I Found

1.. Body Scanning Tools

There are different ways to capture a digital body:

•   Photogrammetry (taking many photos from all angles)
•   3D scanning apps like Polycam or ScandyPro
•   Depth cameras that capture shape and movement

Each method creates a 3D mesh of the body.

2.. Digital Clean-Up

After scanning, the model usually needs cleaning:

•   Removing noise and holes
•   Smoothing surfaces
•   Fixing the mesh

Software like Blender or Meshmixer is used to clean, repair, and reshape the scan.

3.. Body Editing & Mapping

The digital body can be:

•   Adjusted
•   Re-proportioned
•   Textured
•   Marked with measurements

This is useful for fashion design, virtual fittings, and garment testing.

4.. Uses of Digital Bodies

Digital bodies are helpful in:

•   Virtual fashion and avatars
•   Patternmaking and fitting tests
•   Animation and game characters
•   Virtual try-ons and XR spaces

References & Inspiration

For this assignment, I wanted to experiment with how digital bodies can become physical objects. I’ve always loved how Superman represents strength and hope, so I chose to recreate his head sculpture in my own way — through layered wooden art.

Inspiration

Superman’s clean lines, bold structure, and iconic silhouette inspired me to play with depth. I wanted to break his digital form into layers that show both shape and strength.

Concept

My idea was to start from a digital sculpture and turn it into a tactile object. Layering wood felt like the perfect way to reveal volume and contour while keeping that heroic look.

Process 1. Found a 3D reference: I used a 3D Axis Vector model of Superman’s head as my starting point. 2. Downloaded the DXF: The model provided a DXF file, which was perfect for preparing cut-ready layers. (The link to the file is added below.) 3. Prepared the layers: I adjusted the DXF in my design software and arranged each contour for laser cutting. 4. Laser cutting: I cut all the wooden layers one by one. 5. Assembly: I stacked and glued the layers to rebuild the 3D form physically. 6. Finishing touches: Cleaned, aligned, and sanded the edges to keep the shape sharp and recognizable.

Reflection

Turning a digital Superman head into a layered wooden sculpture helped me understand digital bodies in a hands-on way. It was exciting to see how a virtual model can transform into something warm, solid, and expressive

• • Image references picture1 picture2 picture3

Tools

.Makehumans
.Blender
.SLISER Fusion 360
.Laser cutter
.cutters and others

• MATERIAL USED .MDF (3mm)

Process and workflow

I designed a human body in MakeHuman, exported it as an STL file, and refined it in Blender by cutting and isolating the parts I needed. The final geometry was then exported to Fusion 360, where I created clean slices suitable for laser cutting.

Step 1:Make Human

I created a parametric digital human body using MakeHuman, adjusting proportions and posture based on the design i want which is,Superman- digital body - The body model was exported as an STL file to allow further editing and mesh manipulation.

Step 2: Blender

In Blender, I modified the mesh by cutting unnecessary parts and keeping only the sections required for fabrication.I cleaned the model and ensured the shapes were suitable for slicing and physical production.The edited model was exported again and imported into Fusion 360 for precise technical processing.

Step 3:SLISER Fusion 360

I created slices optimized for laser cutting, preparing the design for fabrication.

3D Models

Superman Head DXF File

After slicing the model, I realized that the final design did not clearly represent Superman and required gluing for assembly. To achieve a more readable digital body and a fabrication-ready structure, I decided not to cut this version and instead used a Superman model designed with interlocking joints.

• Reference file superman

• Lightburn files for laser cutting&engraving

3D Scanning

I worked with 3D scanning and scanned my own head. I learned how to use 3D scanning software to clean the scan, fix errors, smooth the surface, and adjust the shape.

I took screenshots during the process to document each step, from the raw scan to the refined model. This experience helped me understand how a real object can be turned into a digital model and modified using software.

At the end of the process, I exported the final file as an STL, ready for further use in digital fabrication

Fabrication files

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1. File: 3d modelling ↩