Why does my 3D scan show holes, distortions, or deformations in the body model?

Holes, distortions, and deformations in your 3D body model are almost always caused by something in the scan environment or subject positioning — not a hardware defect. The most common culprits are too much light, reflective surfaces, objects placed too close to the turntable, or the subject moving or standing off-center during the scan. Adjusting your environment usually resolves the problem.

What this looks like

Scan quality problems typically appear as one or more of the following:

Holes or gaps in the 3D body model (e.g., missing shoulder, cavity in the torso)
The model looks distorted or "melted" in one area
Feet, calves, head, or other body parts are cut off or missing entirely
The turntable platform is visible in the scan instead of just the body
Measurements are flagged with a yellow indicator instead of green
The scan fails to detect the correct pose and won't start

What causes scan distortions?

The camera tower uses an infrared depth sensor to capture the body. Anything that interferes with that infrared signal — or prevents the sensor from seeing the full body — can cause gaps or strange shapes in the resulting 3D model. Common causes include:

Overhead lighting that is too bright or aimed directly at the scan area
Natural daylight entering through windows or skylights
Reflective surfaces such as mirrors, glass walls, or polished floors near the scan area
Objects near the turntable — furniture, equipment, walls, or other items within 14 inches (18 inches recommended) of the rotating platform
Subject standing off-center — feet not placed on the foot markers, or body positioned too far to one side, causing parts to fall outside the capture zone
Subject movement during the scan capture process
Clothing — loose, baggy, or wrinkled clothing can mask body shape and affect measurement accuracy

Step-by-step: How to fix your scan environment

Center the subject on the turntable. Ask the subject to stand with both feet fully within the foot markers — no toes or heels hanging over the edge, and no leaning in any direction.
Block or dim overhead lights. Turn off or dim any bright lights directly above the turntable. Softer, indirect lighting works best.
Cover windows and block daylight. Close blinds or curtains on any windows near the scan area. Even indirect daylight can interfere with the infrared sensor.
Remove or cover reflective surfaces. Cover mirrors with a curtain or matte cloth, remove or reposition glass partitions, and place a non-reflective mat over polished floors around the turntable if needed.
Clear the area around the turntable. Remove any objects within 14 inches (18 inches recommended) of all sides of the rotating platform. This includes chairs, equipment, and furniture.
Check the background. A plain, matte (non-reflective) wall or backdrop behind the camera tower works best. Avoid patterned walls, glossy paint, or any surface that reflects light.
Instruct the subject to stay still. Ask the scan subject to keep their arms slightly away from their body, stay relaxed, and avoid moving, shifting their weight, or turning their head during the scan.
Check the subject's clothing. Subjects should wear form-fitting clothing. For women: sports bra and fitted leggings. For men: compression shorts, no shirt. Wrinkles and folds in loose or baggy clothing can distort the model.
Run a test scan. After making these adjustments, run a new scan and check the 3D model for remaining distortions. Measurements with green indicators and a complete model confirm the environment is correct.

If the problem keeps happening

If you have followed all the steps above and scans still show consistent holes or distortions in the same area of the body (for example, always around the shoulders), this may indicate a specific lighting issue that needs a closer look. Overhead lights positioned at certain angles can create persistent blind spots for the sensor even at moderate brightness.

Contact support for a remote environment review.

If this resolves your issue, no further action is needed.

If the problem persists, contact support and include: photos or a short video of your scan environment (showing lighting, turntable placement, and surrounding area), at least two or three recent scan files that show the distortion, and a description of where in the body model the distortion appears (e.g., shoulders, legs, torso).

Applies to: All Styku configurations

Related Resources

How do I prepare a client for a Styku body scan?
Why are my scan measurements inaccurate even though the scan completes successfully?
Why are my Styku scan results inconsistent between sessions?