Would it make the acquisition of graphics assets into the game any faster to have a 3D scanner and just digitize a lot of stuff, especially inanimate objects like helmets, swords, some guns, etc? What about having unique statues in the city that are actually scanned versions of something a sculptor actually sculpted?
Apparently these things cost like $20k, which would be a reason to raise more money, and I would donate again for that reason alone.
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R.S.O. of Phoenix Rising
I'm pretty sure that effectively everything, outside of artwork, that could be scanned by those already have asset packs that you can buy for way less in total, or possibly even included for free.
Besides, I think the better question is if those scanners can output them in such a format that can be directly used with minimal post-processing because if they have to spend almost as much time to get it usable and fit in thematically as it would have if created from scratch then it's hardly a gain to them.
Don't get me wrong, if they deem it a significant gain to them to get one I would support them.
3D scans from my experience are a mixed bag. Anything cheap enough for a little game studio to buy is going to require a lot of post processing and cleaning to use in game. Anything that would create a game ready asset would be a substantial investment. I agree with Blacke4dawn, there are loads of asset packs out there that would be a cheaper and more efficient way to build up an asset base. Procuring all the physical assets you want to import would be an additional expense. When you consider cost of materials and cost of labor building from scratch or buying an asset pack is usually going to be a more cost effective. At least for now. I don't think we are too far from the day when 3D cameras and scanners are cheap and effective enough to enable the type of asset generation you are looking for. There is also the style consideration it may not make sense to buy a 3D scanner and scan real world objects to import into a game like this.
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