3D Scanning for Stone Sculpture Replication
Project Overview
LiDAR + Photogrammetry for Digital Fabrication in Stone
MYND Workshop was commissioned by artist Barb Smith to create highly detailed 3D scans of a series of sculptures constructed from foam mattresses. These works contained subtle surface textures, compression marks, cuts, and material irregularities — all of which were essential to preserving the character and intent of the original artwork.
Using a hybrid workflow combining terrestrial LiDAR scanning and high-resolution photogrammetry, we captured the sculptures in extreme detail, producing accurate digital twins suitable for advanced fabrication.
The final deliverables included fully processed, watertight 3D meshes optimized for CNC stone carving.
Foam Sculptures by artist Barb Smith
Foam sculpture detail (Barb Smith)
Foam sculpture detail (Barb Smith)
Capturing Surface Character and Detail
Unlike traditional sculptural documentation, this project required:
Preservation of micro-surface detail
Accurate geometry for fabrication
Clean, manifold mesh topology
True-to-life scale for replication
The softness and irregularity of foam material posed a unique challenge. By combining LiDAR for structural accuracy and photogrammetry for fine surface texture, we produced a highly resolved digital replica of each piece.
Every indentation, tear, and compression mark was retained — ensuring that the transition from foam to marble preserved the artist’s original expression.
Detail from 3D Scan of Foam Sculpture by Barb Smith
From Digital Twin to Marble Sculpture
The processed meshes were delivered to the artist’s fabricator, where they were used to drive a high-precision CNC stone cutting machine capable of carving marble directly from the 3D model data.
This workflow enabled:
Exact 1:1 scaling
Direct translation from scan to fabrication
Complex organic geometries in stone
Replication without loss of artistic nuance
The result: marble replicas that faithfully reproduce the subtle textures and physical language of the original foam sculptures.
CNC of Marble Sculpture from 3D Scan
CNC of Marble Sculpture from 3D Scan
Video showing CNC process of cutting and finishing marble sculptures produced from 3D scan files. Sculptures by Barb Smith; Scanning by MYND Workshop
Video showing CNC process of cutting and finishing marble sculptures produced from 3D scan files. Sculptures by Barb Smith; Scanning by MYND Workshop
Video showing CNC process of cutting and finishing marble sculptures produced from 3D scan files. Sculptures by Barb Smith; Scanning by MYND Workshop
Finished Marble Sculptures by Barb Smith, Cut using CNC machine from 3D Scans
Detail - Finished Marble Sculptures by Barb Smith, Cut using CNC machine from 3D Scans
Finished Marble Sculptures by Barb Smith, Cut using CNC machine from 3D Scans
Services Provided
High-resolution 3D laser scanning (LiDAR)
Photogrammetry capture and processing
Digital twin creation
Mesh cleanup and repair
Watertight mesh generation for CNC fabrication
Fabrication-ready file delivery
Applications
This project demonstrates how 3D scanning and digital fabrication can support:
Fine art replication
Sculpture preservation
Marble and stone CNC carving
Artist fabrication workflows
Editioned sculpture production
Digital archiving of artworks
