How 3D Scanning is Changing the World, One Industry At a Time

What are 3D scanners used for?

After all, the first scanning technology appeared in the late 1960s with cameras, lights, and projectors. 3D scanning changed the game by measuring and recording precise data of the physical world. You can replicate anything as their digital counterpart or vice versa with 3D printing. 

Continue reading to know the different types of scanners. You’ll also learn about the benefits and the uses of 3D scanners. 

What Is 3D Scanning? 

3D scanning is the process of making a digital copy of real-life objects. With 3D scanners, people can save, share, edit, and print the object from a computer. The purpose of 3D scanners is to make materials and objects for finished products. 

The development of 3D scanner technology made it easier, affordable, and portable to use. 3D scanning made it possible for high-octane movies like Avengers: End Game and award-winning video games like The Last of Us to come into existence. So feel free to check out some of the best 3D scanners from hand-held to desktop scanners. 

Benefits of 3D Scanners 

The main purpose of 3D scanners is to hasten the workflow. It simplifies the design, development, and launch of products. 3D printing an object saves money for materials other than nylon, metal, and polymer. 

Most scanners are portable, meaning you can distance the scanner from hazardous objects and environments. The scanners can send every detail of large objects within 1-2 days and take 40-90 hours to edit and fix. Printing a car can take about 2 hours to a day with all the parts and components. 

3D scanners can control the quality of products by minimizing mistakes during production. They also capture an object’s information such as dimensions, size, and structure. It works by using reverse-engineering, making it easy to break down the object and learn more about it. 

What Are 3D Scanners Used For?

With these benefits, you now have an idea of what it’s capable of. Here are some practical applications of 3D scanners:

1. Figurines and Animations

3D scanners can act as a camera to make a portrait of people by making figurines. You can also use models for animations, avatar creation, and custom clothing creation.

This technology plays a role in virtual reality because it allows you to make a digital avatar. For video games, you can make both physical and digital copies of figurines representing characters.

2. Research and Science

Researchers can make dinosaur fossils and scaled robotic parts. They study how the bones interacted with each other. This enables them to know how they moved and grew in the environment. 

3D scanners are important in topography, optical measurement, and archiving for study. 

3. Architecture and Engineering

Designers use models of structures for restoration, documentation, or archeological studies. The 3D scanners make it easier to measure every inch of windows, doors, and the like. It also increases the accuracy of a prototype’s components, regardless of complexity. 

4. Art and History 

Artists and historians can create their digital versions for archiving and curating. 3D scanning is the perfect technique to restore crumbling artifacts. People can also archive art, enabling people to view them online. 

5. Medicine and Health 

3D scanning enables the design and creation of prosthetics with less time and money. They also scan body parts without direct contact for a detailed analysis of a patient. Doctors can do hands-on experiments with 3D models and learn data on wounds, broken anatomy, and cosmetic surgery. 

Types of 3D Scanners

Since 3D scanners have lots of applications, you’re liable to find various models to accomplish specific tasks. Here are the types of 3D scanners you might encounter:

1. Contact Scanners 

These 3D scanners probe the subject through physical touch. This type of scanner is best for flat shapes or simple convex surfaces. The only drawback is the tactile requirement.

Otherwise, it may change or damage the subject. 

2. Photogrammetry 

This scanner takes many pictures from different angles. The more pictures you have, the better the quality. 

A 3D scanning software analyzes the pictures and reconstructs them in 3D. This type of scanner is great for live objects like people and animals. 

3. Time of Flight (TOF)

Time of Flight scanners measures how long it takes for the laser to reflect from the scanner. This type of scanner is best for scanning objects in real-time. It’s also ideal for scanning large objects like buildings. 

4. Triangulation

A camera records the intersection between the beam from the scanner and the object. The camera, laser dot, and laser emitter form a triangle making it easier to find the dot’s location. This type of scanner is useful for scanning things like cars and houses. 

5. Structured Light

This type of scanner casts a light of geometric patterns to look at the deformation of an object. It looks at its depth and width, meaning the scanner won’t work well with reflective surfaces. This scanner gives the best details and measurements of small and delicate objects. 

3D Scanning Software 

The software helps optimize the precision, results, and quality of the scans. It improves the details of the scanned objects, making it perfect for 3D printing prototypes. The software looks at the characteristics of objects with reverse-engineering. 

One of the best software around is Autodesk Maya. It has a yearly subscription of $1,620. Maya is great at modeling, lighting, texturing, and rendering particles, details, movements, and so on. 

Maya has a free-form approach, allowing you to apply modeling layers and modifiers. 

Another reputable software is Houdini 17.5. It has a free version with a natural node-based workflow for beginners. For its premium version, it costs $295/year for Indie, $1995/year for Core, and $4,495/year for FX. 

Houdini is popular in VFX industries because of its flexibility and control.  

Get a 3D Scanner Today!

These are some considerations you must know before getting a 3D scanner. Use these to get a definite idea of what to expect once you invest in one.

Did this guide help answer your query on what are 3D scanners used for? If so, read our other guides and learn more. Discover even more things you can do with the newest tech right here!