Choosing a 3D Scanner

Before I get into what to consider when choosing professional 3D scanners, a brief introduction into 3D scanning and what it entails.

What Is 3D Scanning?

3D scanning has been the long-term answer to the human desire to replicate 3D objects in real life. Computers, of course, paved the way for 3D scanning, with the first 3D scanning technology popping up in the late 60’s. Technology evolves at astronomically astonishing rates so what was top notch then has since become redundant. 

The M.O of professional 3D scanners has been improving their technology while becoming smaller, more affordable, and easier to use.

On matters definition, a 3D scanner is an umbrella term that covers just about any device that can measure the physical world. Technologies for said measuring vary with the most popular being light, lasers, and X-rays. These measurements are then used to create polygon meshes that form the basis of 3D models. 

This whole process is what is called 3D scanning.

Shortcomings of 3D Scanning

3D scanning is a scientific marvel at the very least. Be that as it may, 3D scanning companies still encounter some challenges as they go about their scanning business.

Let’s talk about these challenges:

Reflective and Transparent Objects Are Difficult to Deal With

As I had already mentioned, most 3D scanning technologies involve lasers. If you weren’t attentive in science class, lasers are essentially light rays. 

The lasers are projected onto the object, and a scan can be rendered. 

The only reason this is possible is that the object being scanned is opaque and light bounces off it giving the 3D scanner an idea of the shape of the object. 

Let’s take transparency into account: if we were to work with a transparent object, light would just pass right through with no 3D scan rendered, which defeats the whole point of 3D scanning. 

The general acceptable rule among 3D scanner professionals is that the object must be opaque enough to the point where the laser beam cannot pass through the object.

To my point of reflective surfaces being tricky, all that needs to be said is the surface reflects the laser beam right back at the 3D scanner which is the textbook definition of counterproductive really.

Scanners Can’t Determine the Material They Are Scanning

Although this may not be as paramount now, it can be very important for 3D scanning companies in the future for reverse engineering. That said, it is safe to declare that the next obstacle in 3D scanning is determining the material in the scan.

What to Keep In Mind When Getting a 3D Scanner

On your way to becoming a 3D scanner professional? Here are some tips that may come in very handy.

Choose What’s Right for You

It is natural that you may be spoilt for choice on matters technology and choice of scanners. When choosing which technology to go for, keep in mind what type of object you need to scan. 

All modern 3D scanning technologies actually are pretty dope and what matters is the type of object you need to scan and the results you want to get. Don’t fret about the technology – only consider the application of the 3D scanner.

Invest Invest Invest

What I mean by this is that to get the best results, you may need to loosen your purse strings a little and invest in a high-quality professional 3D scanner. 

There is no point in getting something only because you got a great deal on it only to end up shelving it because it doesn’t work well enough. Invest on top-of-the-shelf equipment – pun intended. 

The direct opposite applies as well. There is no need to get a bank loan to get a 3D scanner you will only use once to scan the car you want to sell – as they say, bigger is not always better. 

For such menial applications, you are better off using 3D scanning apps on your phone.