I want to directly convert it to .ply to import both the modeling information and texture information of the dcm file exported from 3shape, but I know that if there is no decryption key, I have to use brute force.
Sorry, I find it very hard to understand what you would like to do. What outputs you can export from 3shape, in which file format? Can you provide an example file? (upload it somewhere and post the link here)
I’m not sure if there is a way to store textured surface mesh in standard DICOM information object. Even if there is, 3shape probably uses private fields instead, as it allows them to lock people into using their software and charge extra for various data export features.
If they don’t offer textures surface mesh export (or it is not affordable) then you can reverse-engineer the contents of the private fields. However, they can change the private fields at anytime and they can make it very hard to decipher the private field contents if they want to.
Overall, probably your best options are either
A. pay for the appropriate data export features in 3shape, or
Hi Andras
I am new to Slicer, but the software is very good and intuitive, and on top, one find nearly all the answers here in the forum if somethings comes up. Pretty cool!
And it was clear that, when I faced the same problem like the OP had, I would find the answer here.
So back to the start:
It seems, and my research on the internet confirmed this, that 3shape uses a proprietary file system. Unfortunately, the academic institution where I work lacked the necessary expertise for such matters and invested in this closed system to establish an archive with thousands of scanned plaster casts (and is still working on it). On the other hand, 3shape, as always, seems to have only seen the money and sold the system.
Now we researchers are the ones bearing the brunt of it. The models in the archive folder are accessible, but worthless because, for further processing, one has to export each model into the .stl format by hand, using a 3shape software.
Therefore, a “walk through” on how to bypass this system would be immensely helpful. Unfortunately, this is far beyond my knowledge, but I would be willing to provide a scan, if someone wants to give a try.
We would be very, very grateful for the help.