3D scanner for android; provisioning accessible 3D technology
For the past decade you have been able to pick up a 3D scanner for less than half a grand that can attach to a mobile device and clip onto the side of the device. These sizes were slightly smaller than home 3D scanners but had compromised performance and issues with cable strain that would be a common failure mode for such devices. While the fundamentals of the technology were somewhat there, the precision and data rates were not, providing only crude representations of what was scanned. Today integrated hardware and software has allowed the development of a 3D scanner for android devices.
So, what exactly was wrong a decade ago?
Well low data transfer and buffering permitted data points were lost extensively. In addition, at the same time the same camera was creating a UV map of the object to retain the aesthetics of the object and overlay it on the crude mesh saved. While some tried to 3D print these objects with some using inject binder-based machines to get colors added to a starch-based print, even after manual cleanup of meshes these outputs were merely gimmicks. Some ‘businesses’ scanned people when they entered a superstore and printed the models while they were shopping, however this fad soon ended when the quality was never met the expectations of the shopper. The root problem was not the print itself it was the bottlenecks of the device creating hilariously course results.
The Present is much more promising
Rolling on to today, finally hardware and software has caught up in mobile phone technology that allows you to use your phone to 3D scan; after a decade, the future is here. This means that a 3D scanner for android will be able to take advantage of android store applications and specifically developers creating applications specifically or by proxy for the 3D scanner for android solution. What this really means is that the underlying coding and hardware will be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Now however, comes the difficult part of the process, creating a new paradigm through disseminating the technology to the public space and regain the disparaged as well as new users alike. If enough people that are ‘relevant’ in the environment exist that push the technology, the more users will adopt the technology and use it how they see fit.
The Future
It is easy to imagine that the next generation of social media influence will use mobile phone 3d scanners to scan interesting cultural objects, people, procession costumes and anything else that will give them likes on their preferred platform. Furthermore, a mobile phone 3d scanner will offer more benefits from quick digital asset creation that could be used as a digital gift to friends instead of real gifts; much like an emoji. Of course, 3D printers such as FDM and SLA are being ever-more prevalent in homes or accessible from dedicated e-commerce printing solutions, allowing people to see what they want, scan it and print it for their own keepsake. Additionally, some ‘Makers’ will want to take objects such and create ‘mash-ups’ to create a unique variant of the original items. This will create an interesting world to live in and accessible to all from the elderly to the young alike. Unlike a few years a go there will be no need for users to carry around auxiliary devices and spend time to hook them up or worry about cable connections failing, this speed will accelerate the adoption of mobile phone 3d scanner usage.
