Go scan 3d scanner cost

Creaform launches the HandySCAN Silver Series 3D scanner - technical specifications and pricing

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3D measurement system manufacturer Creaform has announced the launch of its latest handheld 3D scanner.

The HandySCAN 3D Silver Series is available in two models: the HandySCAN 307 at $19,990 and the higher-performance HandySCAN 700 at $29,900. Aimed at professional engineers and technology companies, the device is intended to provide repeatable metrology-grade 3D measurements for product development and reverse engineering applications.

“For the professionals who need to adapt quickly to their customers’ needs and provide better answers to their inquiries, a reliable 3D scanning solution is indispensable,” states Simon Côté, Product Manager at Creaform. “The possibilities presented by gathering such precise data can open doors to new projects and strengthen the partnerships with existing clients. It cannot be overstated how 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies have become vital for any small-to-medium sized company. ”

The HandySCAN 3D Silver Series. Photo via Creaform.

Professional 3D scanning with Creaform

Based in Québec, Creaform already has an extensive portfolio of professional 3D scanning devices. Go!SCAN, the company’s most affordable line, is capable of capturing full color 3D models with a setup time of just five minutes. With a focus on accessibility and ease-of-use, the entry-level range is designed to be usable by individuals of any background in a pick up-and-play manner.

For those looking for more in the way of performance, the HandySCAN and MetraSCAN ranges might be a little more suitable. Built for manufacturing and metrology professionals working in dynamic manufacturing environments, these premium 3D scanner lines offer high-precision measurements for engineering projects.

Scanning a Koenigsegg with the HandySCAN Silver Series. Photo via Creaform.

The HandySCAN 3D Silver Series

The latest addition to the HandySCAN range is characterized by its precision and versatility. Operating on seven red laser crosses, the Silver Series provides users with a scan area measuring 275 x 250mm, an accuracy of up to 0.03mm, and a measurement resolution of up to 0.05mm. With a recommended part size ranging from 0.1 – 4m, the device is reportedly compatible with a whole host of object types, regardless of complexity, surface finish, or color.

At 0.85kg, the Silver Series is lightweight and portable. Designed for both in-house and on-site use, the scanner fits comfortably in a small suitcase and can be set up in around two minutes. It triangulates its own relative position using in-built optical reflectors, meaning it can be used as a standalone device with no tripod or external tracking equipment. Featuring a simple UI and real-time visualization functionality, Creaform’s Silver Series boasts a “shallow learning curve” regardless of the user’s experience level.

The new Silver Series 3D scanning a helmet. Photo via Creaform.

Technical specifications and pricing

Below are the technical specifications for the HandySCAN 3D Silver Series. The 3D scanner is available to order now, starting at $19,990.

	HandySCAN 307	HandySCAN 700
Accuracy	Up to 0.04mm	Up to 0.03mm
Volumetric accuracy	0.02mm + 0.1mm/m	0.02mm + 0.06mm/m
Measurement resolution	0.1mm	0.05mm
Mesh resolution	0.2mm	0.2mm
Measurement rate	480,000/s	480,000/s
Light source	7 red laser crosses	7 red laser crosses + extra line
Laser class	2M	2M
Scanning area	275 x 250mm	275 x 250mm
Stand-off distance	300mm	300mm
Depth of field	250mm	250mm
Part size range	0. 1 – 4m	0.1 – 4m
Weight	0.85kg	0.85kg
Dimensions	77 x 122 x 294mm	77 x 122 x 294mm

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Featured image shows the new Silver Series 3D scanning a helmet. Photo via Creaform.

Tags Creaform HandySCAN 3D Silver Series Simon Côté

Kubi Sertoglu

Kubi Sertoglu holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, combining an affinity for writing with a technical background to deliver the latest news and reviews in additive manufacturing.

10 Best Cheap 3D Scanners in 2022 (That Work Well)

So you’re interested in getting into 3D scanning? First thing you’ll need: a 3D scanner. You could also make your own DIY 3D scanner, but this requires time, effort and skill, and many would prefer to buy their own affordable 3D scanner online and save the hassle.

But, you also don’t want to break the bank.

You don’t need a $20,000 professional piece of kit designed for precise prototypes and industry, you just want an easy-to-use, accurate and affordable 3D scanner you can use to scan your favorite miniatures and other fun designs, or even to scan you and your friends/family’s faces to 3D print them!

So, we’ve put together the absolute top picks for low-cost 3D scanners that still work great, from the lowest price range of $150 (though you have to build most of it yourself), to the $500-ish price range we recommend to get a good quality scanner – our Revopoint POP scanner is this price and we’re very happy with it – and also some more premium options for precise detail scanning.

What Makes a Good Cheap 3D Scanner?

Price-performance ratio — offering bang for their buck
Accuracy and resolution
Versatility — are they portable, and can they be used both handheld and stationary?
Ease of use — from simple setup, to software compatibility

BUDGET PICK

Revopoint POP

Has a grip for holding it to scan people/bodies, and turnstile and stationary object scanning

0. 3mm accuracy and 8fps scanning

Available at:

Revopoint here

MID-RANGE PICK

Matter & Form V2

Accurate 0.1mm scan quality

Powerful stationary scanner for intricate 25x18cm objects

Comes with Mfstudio scan software

Available at:

Amazon hereDynamism here

PREMIUM PICK

Shining 3D EinScan SE

“Cheapest professional-level 3D scanner”

Scans 70x70x70cm objects to 0.1mm scan accuracy and can rotate objects

Available at:

Amazon hereDynamism here

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Name and brand	Type of 3D scanner	Price	Best price available at:
Revopoint POP	Stationary/Handheld	$500	Revopoint 3D here
BQ Ciclop	Laser triangulation	around $165	Amazon here
XYZ 1. 0 Pro	Low cost handheld 3D scanner	$445	Amazon here
Revopoint POP 2	Stationary/Handheld/Color	$699	Revopoint 3D here
Sol 3D scanner	Laser triangulation	$799	Amazon here
Matter & Form V2	Desktop 3D scanner	$749	Amazon here
Shining 3D Einscan SE	Stationary 3D scanner	$1,199	Amazon here
Scantech iReal 2E	Handheld 3D scanner	$3,980	Scantech site
Shining 3D Einscan SP	Stationary 3D scanner	$2,599	Amazon here

Cheap 3D Scanners Under $500

Revopoint POP – Best Cheap 3D Scanner

Price: around $500 — Available at Revopoint store here
Resolution: 0.3 mm
Max Scan Volume: 210 x 130 mm
Technology: Structured light & infrared scanning
Speed/Frame Rate: 8fps

The Revopoint POP is one of the best low-cost 3D scanners around, with a single frame accuracy of up to 0. 3mm, and the versatility to be used portably to scan faces, bodies and animals, as well as a stationary scanner for sculptures, prototypes and other objects.

Weighing just 200g, it’s portable and light, and can easily fit into any backpack or transporting equipment you have.

Whether you use iOS or Android, MacOS or Windows, it’s compatible with your smartphone, tablet or laptop, and connects seamlessly via USB to scan and export — and can export in STL, OBJ or PLY file formats. It comes with cables to connect to PC or Mac, as well as a portable stick that connects to your smartphone for previewing your scans in handheld mode.

For scanning faces, the infrared sensors (similar to more expensive 3D scanners like the Einscan H) makes for a zero-glare solution that doesn’t hurt your eyes, and helps with scanning darker features (though dark hair will still be a problem).

The entire kit includes a smartphone rig, mount and grip, LED light to support scanning, mini tripod, and a turntable for scanning stationary objects. Revopoint bundle the POP 3D scanner with their own software for editing and optimizing your scans, including multiple continuous splicing, making it a great all-around affordable 3D scanner workflow.

Read more: Revopoint POP 2 3D scanner review

BQ Ciclop — Great Cheap 3D Scanner Under $200

Resolution: 0.5mm
Price: around $150 — Available on Amazon here
Scan time: 2-8 mins
Maximum scan volume: 200 x 200 x 205 mm

Most 3D printing experts will know of BQ’s 3D printer range. In addition to their printers, BQ also designed the Ciclop, an affordable 3D scanner that’s completely open-source. You can either build it yourself at home if you prefer a DIY project, or buy it pre-assembled online.

This nifty budget 3D scanner has a good scanning volume — up to 250 x 205 mm — so it’s no slouch for the price. It utilizes laser triangulation technology, so you don’t need to hold the scanner and move it around the object.

And since it’s open-source, you can modify it however you want — following the RepRap 3D printer philosophy. It’s a great cheap laser scanner, and one of the best value 3D scanners out there.

In terms of specs, it’s actually very good for the price — with resolutions between 0.3-0.5mm. You can easily scan to a free 3D software tool (the BQ Ciclop comes with Horus) via Bluetooth or USB, though experienced makers may prefer to work in a more professional 3D software package.

Overall, the BQ Ciclop is a plucky, low-cost 3D scanner that’s great for new makers looking to get 3D scanning. One drawback is that it isn’t the easiest 3D scanner to assemble, so less experienced DIY-ers may opt to buy it pre-assembled online.

XYZprinting Handheld 2.0

Price – Check price on Amazon here
Resolution: 0.2 mm – 1.5 mm
Max Scan Volume: 100 x 100 x 200 cm
Technology: Stereo imaging
Speed/Frame Rate: 40 fps

Building on the success of its first low-cost 3D scanner, XYZ is back with the new XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2. 0, promising, rather grandly, 3D scanning for a new frontier. Much of the focus here is on wiping out the reliability issues of the original while also increasing the resolution substantially.

Powered by an Intel RealSense module, the XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2.0 leans on portability, fast scanning, and greater detail as its chief attributes. It employs two cameras equipped with stereo imaging technology to measure the depth, shape, and size of objects.

Housed in a light and compact shell (itself designed to fit comfortably in the hand or clip onto a laptop or PC screen) weighing a feathery 382 g are some impressive specifications. It features full-color scanning at up to 1920 x 1080p at 40 FPS and 640 x 480 at 30 FPS depth imaging.

Resolution sits at a decent 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, far better than the original’s 1.0 to 2.5 mm. It has a 25-60 cm operating range and a scanning distance of 20-120 cm. Alongside it boasts a max scan size of 100 x 100 x 200 cm for quick scanning of relatively large objects or bodies.

Firing up the XYZprinting 3D Scanner 2.0 gives you three modes: one tuned to capture objects, one optimized for headshots and portraits, and the last designed for full-body scans. Scanning is the usual process of capturing an object from multiple angles. The scanner then creates a digital mesh model replica, exportable to STL, OBJ, PLY, and FBX file formats.

Overall, the XYZprinting Handheld 2.0 punches above its price point and is a sound investment for those that need an affordable 3D scanner. The only negative is that the scanner is tethered to a USB cable, which detracts a little from its overall portability as you’ll always need a computer to scan objects.

Low Cost 3D Scanners ($500+)

Revopoint POP 2 – Best Under $1000

Price: $699 — Available at Revopoint Official store here
Precision: 0.05 mm
Scan Speed: 10 FPS
Minimum Scan Volume: 20 x 20 x 20 mm
Single Capture Range: 210 x 130 mm
Working Distance: 150 – 400 mm
Point Cloud Distance / Single-Frame Accuracy: 0. 15 mm

We already feature the Revopoint POP on our affordable 3D scanner review, but the newer upgraded version, the POP 2, improves in almost every area.

It’s one of the best, if not the best 3D scanner under a thousand dollars, and works superbly for stationary scanning (it comes with a movable turntable to scan all sides), handheld scanning of objects, faces, bodies and more, as well as accurate color scanning.Scanning a toy with the Revopoint POP 2 using the “fill holes” setting (often leave it off and sort any errors in post).However, you can’t scan black or shiny features unless you spray them to become visible to the camera.

If budget is important, then the standard POP is fine. But, if you want that extra quality, the POP 2 offers up to 0.05mm precision (vs 0.3mm for the POP), a faster 10fps scan speed (vs 8fps on the POP), and it can scan smaller parts, starting at 20mm³ vs the original POP’s 30mm³.During our test and review, the calibration showed an accuracy of around 0. 07mm.

It scanned color images well when we tested it on some kids toys and a multi-color Rubik’s cube, and scanned faces accurately (but don’t select the “fill holes” setting as it will create deformed faces by creating a mesh cloud that includes background noise).

Overall, it’s probably the best cheap 3D scanners around – standard scanning, face scanning, color, or entire body scanning, it’s good for all uses.Color scanning and editing test.

Read the full review: Revopoint POP 2 hands-on test and review

Compare: Revopoint POP vs POP 2 and MINI

Sol 3D scanner — Low cost laser scanner

Price: $799 — Available on Amazon here
Resolution: up to 0.1 mm
Scan volume: up to 170 x 170 mm
Scan speed: 10 min in Turbo mode, 20 min normally

Costing under $1,000, the Sol 3D scanner is an affordable laser scanner capable of scanning small and medium-sized objects with strong accuracy. For small parts or objects, it has a specialized Near Mode option, and for larger objects, you can use Far Mode.

Specialized 3D scanning software comes with the Sol scanner, easily enabling you to export object scans in either STL or any other file formats, for either 3D printing in a 3D slicer, or importing into a 3D CAD software tool for editing and optimizing.

The scanner is positioned towards hobbyists as well as entrepreneurs looking to expand their product range presentation.

With Facebook now letting anyone upload 360-degree images of their products that customers and fans can view, it has never been more important to have 3D scans of your best-sellers, with the Sol perfectly suited for this.

Overall, it’s a great low cost 3D scanner for effective scanning of small and medium objects.

Matter & Form V2 3D Scanner

Price: $749 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Matterhackers here
Scan volume: 250 x 180 mm
Accuracy: within 0. 1 mm
Scan speed: up to 65 seconds

The Matter and Form scanner is ideal for stationary objects, such as this vase.

Featuring very accurate scanning at up to 0.1mm due to its 2 lasers and HD-CMOS sensor, the Matter & Form V2 is up there as the most precise cheap 3D scanner under $1,000.

Like many of these desktop 3D scanners, the Matter & Form comes with its own 3D software tool for editing and transferring files, and comes with Mfstudio and Quickscan for fast 65-second scanning.

If you’re looking to 3D print your scans, you can seamlessly import them into your 3D printer software and either print remotely via WiFi, or slice and export to a USB or SD card.

The only thing that may rule it out for some people is its relatively small maximum scanning size. Because it sits stationary when scanning, it can only scan objects that fit on its scanning platform (up to 25cm tall and 18cm diameter), so those who plan on scanning people or larger objects will prefer a handheld scanner instead.

Apart from that, it’s a fantastic, very precise 3D scanner perfect for scanning intricate, small objects.

Shining 3D EinScan-SE — Best value 3D scanner

Price: $1,199 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Dynamism Store here
Scan accuracy: a single shot is within 0.1 mm
Scan range: single scan – 200 x 150 mm / maximum scan range – 700 x 700 mm
Scan speed: a single shot under 8 seconds

Proclaimed the “cheapest professional level 3D scanner” by Shining 3D, their EinScan SE model is their entry-level 3D scanner. Some of their other scanners, for example the Einscan Pro 2X can cost upwards of $7,000, though just because it’s their cheapest scanner doesn’t mean the EinScan SE isn’t impressive.

It can scan up to 70 x 70 x 70 cm, which should be enough for your printing needs unless you’re scanning entire cars, or people. Moreover, it’s accurate to 0. 1mm so scan quality will absolutely not be a problem.

You can either have the object being scanned rotate, or do so yourself, the EinScan-SE supports a variety of options. Overall, it’s impressive for the price and a very strong 3D scanner.

iPhone With LiDAR Scanner

Price: Check price on Amazon here
Technology: LiDAR sensor
Compatible Devices: iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPad Pro

You may already have one of the best cheap 3D scanners in your pocket right now – an iPhone. The latest additions to Apple’s iPhone lineup, namely the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro family, along with the iPad Pro, feature a LiDAR sensor integrated into the camera assembly.

Light Detection And Ranging, or in simple terms, 3D laser scanning, beams light onto an object and then measures the time it takes for the light to reach back to the sensor to capture the size, shape, and other characteristics. It does not just scan objects but also 3D spaces.

The sensor is chiefly equipped to boost the iPhone’s ability to capture crisp and clear images in less than ideal light conditions, but when paired with an appropriate app becomes a decent 3D scanner. The results aren’t quite on par with what you’d get with a dedicated 3D scanner, but they aren’t half bad for a device with a cheap LiDAR scanner you likely already own.

A growing number of apps make full use of the iPhone LiDAR sensor to scan and create 3D models, ready for export in various popular formats, which you can then edit in CAD software. Apps like Canvas, 3D Scanner, and Polycam are excellent starting points. Most are free, too, meaning you can 3D scan for no extra cost if you’re already the owner of one of the latest iPhones.

iReal 2E color 3D scanner

Price: $3,980 – More info at Scantech store here
Resolution: up to 0.2 mm
Accuracy: up to 0. 1 mm
Weight: 850g

While not as cheap as some other options, Scantech’s iReal 2E is one of the most cost-effective professional handheld color 3D scanners on the market, capable of extraordinary accuracy and precise 3D object scans.

It’s specially designed for 3D scanning medium and large objects and human body scanning, equipped with four scanning modes: features, texture, markers, and mixed, giving you great flexibility for scanning different types of objects.

It features a large 580 x 550 mm field of view making it easy for beginners to operate, and a long 280 – 1000 mm scanning distance, ideal for larger items that lower-cost 3D scanners simply can’t manage.

Additionally, the iReal 2E color 3D scanner adopts infrared structured light technologies, with key advantages across invisible light scanning, environment/material adaptability (such as performing well on human hair, dark objects or under strong sunlight), and so many more.

Above all, if you are looking for a reasonably priced 3D scanner that can handle professional applications, this could be perfect for you.

It’s powerful and with the scanning modes and large field of view, it’s also very versatile. The iReal 2E is particularly useful for:

Human body modeling — customization and re-creation of artistic portraits, film, video, game, VR, AR and other CG character modeling, medical rehabilitation, human body parts customization
Art and design — medium and large-sized sculptures, cultural relics, college art training, clothing design, creative design, and derivative product development, etc
Reverse engineering — castings, forgings, sanitary ware and other products with low precision requirements
3D printing

Shining 3D EinScan-SP

Price: $2,599 — Available on Amazon worldwide here / Available on Dynamism Store here
Scan range: single scan – 200 x 150 mm / max scan range – 1200mm³
Accuracy: single-shot accuracy under 0. 05 mm
Speed: single shot speed of under 4 seconds

Having included the EinScan-SE, we had to also include its bigger brother, the EinScan-SP, as they’re both such standout 3D scanners. It’s not as cheap, and in fact, $2,500 is a lot of money, but compared to some industrial 3D scanners that can cost $50,000 plus, it’s comparatively inexpensive!

Whereas the EinScan-SE is accurate to 0.1mm, the SP is accurate to 0.05mm, an astonishing level of precision. This will result in clean, accurate and crisp 3D scans that can in turn be made into stunning 3D prints.

Additionally, it can scan larger objects, up to 120 x 120 x 120 cm, so unless you need to scan entire rooms or cars, you should definitely have enough space with the EinScan-SP.

What Makes A Good Cheap 3D Scanner – Buyer’s Guide

Portable

A handheld and portable cheap 3D scanner allows for more freedom of movement to capture scans of all shapes and sizes, even those located in hard-to-reach places. Better yet, a scanner that works in both stationary and handheld modes offers the best of both worlds. Furthermore, portability usually means lightweight, making scanning more manageable and less of a strain when capturing an object from multiple angles.

Resolution

Resolution determines the quality of the 3D model obtained after scanning an object. Around 1 mm to 2 mm is a good starting point, but go lower if possible; ideally, about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm to give you the best possible results on a budget. You’ll find cheap 3D scanners like the Matter & Form V2 3D Scanner drop to as low as 0.1 mm, but these tend to carry a higher price tag.

Scan Volume

This determines the size of the maximum scannable area you can capture in one go. Lean towards cheap 3D scanners with large scan volumes if you plan to make full-body scans as these reduce the number of angles you’ll need for a complete scan.

Ease of Use

Though the technology behind 3D scanners is relatively complex, the actual scanning process doesn’t have to be. Look for scanners with one-touch scanning, multiple optimized modes, and user-friendly accompanying software.

Export File Formats

A good cheap 3D scanner needs to offer the ability to export scans to file formats that will be useful to you and compatible with CAD software. STL, OBJ, and PLY are generally available on most budget 3D scanners but check beforehand if you need a less standard format.

What You Can Do With a Cheap 3D Scanner – Uses and Applications

Education and Schools – For developing 3D CAD modeling skills, design lessons, and general STEM education.
3D Printing – Scan real-world objects and convert them into 3D printed objects. Especially useful for those that don’t want to create 3D models from scratch in CAD software.
Design – Rough, rapid prototypes based on real-world objects.
3D Room Scans – Renovation, digital real estate house viewings, interior design.
AR and Animation – game development, app development, digital art.

FAQ

Which Is the Best Cheap 3D Scanner?

Revopoint POP is one of the most versatile cheap 3D scanners, thanks to both stationary and handheld modes, along with the tripod and turntable that ships alongside the scanner.

Among the best cheap stationary 3D scanners for objects, the Matter & Form V2 3D Scanner is a solid option offering high-quality scans thanks to an excellent 0.1 mm accuracy and fast scan speeds.

If you’re looking for pure value and the lowest price, nothing beats the cost-effective offering of the BQ Ciclop.

Lastly, if you need a scanner capable of higher quality results, the Shining 3D EinScan-SE is a value-packed professional 3D scanner at a mid-range price.

Who Makes the Best Low-Cost 3D Scanners?

Shining 3D is among the best 3D scanner manufacturers, as exemplified by the excellent EinScan-SE. If we drop in price, Revopoint’s versatile POP 3D scanner is largely unmatched when it comes to bundling a broad range of scan options into a lightweight, compact, and affordable device. Also worthy of mention is XYZprinting and their 3D scanner range, notably the refreshed and updated XYZprinting Handheld 2.0, which offers excellent resolution at a great price.

Other articles you may be interested in:

Professional 3D scanners buyer’s guide
DIY 3D scanner kits you can build at home
The best 3D scanners – ranked
Top 3D scanner apps (for iOS and Android)

Laser 3D scanning of premises with a laser, prices for three-dimensional scanning

Laser 3D scanning of premises for various purposes

The GlavGeOSyomka company offers laser scanning services for premises. Our specialists are ready to assist you in the implementation of your ideas of design, decoration, as well as in such delicate and complex works as the restoration and reconstruction of architectural monuments. These works will also be indispensable in industrial construction.

The basic essence of laser scanning. Laser scanning is a relatively new direction in geodesy. Its appearance is associated with the rapid development of technology, as well as with the desire of a person to automate his work process. For laser scanning, a special device is used - a 3D scanner. The laser rangefinder, rotating 360 degrees, in reflectorless mode with the help of a laser beam, manages to capture all the details within the boundaries of the work specified by the operator. Thus, spatial coordinates in three-dimensional space are determined. The scanner creates a point cloud with a clear structure and density. These parameters are set by the surveyor, and the higher the density of points, the more often the device surveys, and this increases the detail of the survey. The output is a 3D model that can be used for various purposes.

Laser scanning in architecture and design. Laser scanning is especially popular with architects and designers. Imagine a situation where a person orders the design of his apartment. In order to get started, the specialist needs a detailed plan of the premises in which the work will be carried out. But what if the room is not typical, and it is replete with a large number of details? Or do you need the design of an entire apartment or a country house? In this case, a laser surveyor can help. It can take a lot of time and effort to accurately measure and sketch rooms using traditional methods. The scanner will do all the work for you, producing the most detailed 3D model in a matter of hours, which will be extremely convenient to work with in the future. In addition, such a result will be the most visual, and you will be able to demonstrate to the customer any details of the future interior of his choice. For restorers, laser scanning is also an equally important and energy-intensive process. The rooms inside ancient buildings that need to be repaired and recreated in their original form are often rich in various architectural delights. In order to accurately indicate the scope of work and make detailed estimates, a 3D model is essential. This will help to avoid any inaccuracies and miscalculations, especially when it comes to architectural monuments, where every detail is important.

Laser scanning of premises in industry and construction

In conditions of extreme cramped workshops and premises of various plants and factories, a 3D scanner can create a detailed diagram of all units and assemblies, while not taking up much space. When designing, reconstructing or building new structures at industrial facilities, laser scanning is simply irreplaceable. This type of work can significantly save time and reduce labor costs. A point cloud, which will be used to build a three-dimensional projection of all components and assemblies, can be obtained in a few days after the end of the field stage, which will not take much time. While the production of a model created by the usual measurements and sketches can take weeks, moreover, the accuracy will be extremely rough. This survey method is most relevant for large industrial premises. Do not forget about the use of laser scanning in construction. It is not always possible to create a detailed plan of a building under construction due to the inaccessibility of serif points or the complexity and laboriousness of laying a tacheometric traverse. In such cases, the use of a scanner will be a way out of this situation. Based on the results of his work, you can get a model, which can then be used in the form of a floor plan.

Applications and types of laser scanning

So, laser scanning makes it possible to obtain detailed digital models of terrain and structures. But where does it apply and in what cases is it cost-effective? Popular areas are architectural and restoration work, the creation and updating of GIS materials, the digitization of complex engineering and industrial equipment, as well as a number of other tasks. Why is it beneficial to use this technology in such cases? As mentioned earlier, when working with a total station or laser rangefinders, the speed of obtaining data is low - in one working day, a surveyor can take the coordinates of less than 1000 points.

What if the façade of a building, premises or some equipment is replete with a huge number of elements of complex shapes? It is extremely difficult to transfer them in digital form. The laser scanner processes up to 1 million measurements per second, creating a dense point cloud that clearly repeats all contours and lines of any complexity. As a result, the surveyor receives an almost photographic model, which can be conveniently manipulated and all the information can be seen very clearly. This is relevant for those professionals whose work involves precisely such details - restorers, architects, designers, design engineers, inventories. With the help of geodetic data, it is possible to design the repair or installation of new equipment or structures, taking into account all possible factors and risks, as well as to carry out high-quality restoration and renovation work with historical accuracy, having previously calculated the appearance and functional content. The advantage of laser scanning is the possibility of not only static (ground) data processing, but also mobile (the scanner is installed on a moving vehicle) and even aerial (the device is attached to the UAV). This allows you to collect information from a larger area and a larger number of objects, significantly reducing labor costs. Thus, the list of scanning possibilities is extended to obtain digital models of roads, open spaces, power lines, pipelines for various purposes, and much more.

Three-dimensional modeling based on the results of scanning

The most responsible and complex is the office processing of scanned data. For correct operation, not only high-class specialists are required, but also powerful PCs with pre-installed modern software. After transferring data from the device to the computer, the surveyor must stitch together disparate arrays of points, called clouds or scans. This can be done either by coordinated or numbered marks, fixed in advance on the object, or by characteristic points. It is advisable to use the latter option if the object does not abound with many complex shapes or the number of scans is small, otherwise the probability of an error increases. The result is a "raw" model, a workpiece that requires processing. Artifacts are removed from there - foreign objects and points that arose clearly due to a technical error of the scanner. This is more complicated than it seems - a lot of unnecessary information always gets into the "frame", and the surveyor's task is to carefully study the array of points for the presence of such defects. A model freed from artifacts is considered ready, and further post-processing depends on the requirements of the customer. The terms of reference may include the creation of sweeps and sections of specific sections, geometric models by drawing the contours of equipment and structures with primitives, and even the imposition of photographic materials on a 3D model to increase visual clarity. What is beneficial for such products is relevance and detail. Often there is a situation when the available materials do not reflect reality - something is not taken into account, changes were not made at the time of modernization, or the data is simply erroneous. A spatial model obtained in the shortest possible time will help to update the information, and we can talk about both a small room, a specific node or part of the facade, or an entire factory complex, a park and palace ensemble, or an extended line of power lines. That is, laser scanning is not just automatic data processing using a modern device. This is also the painstaking work of professional surveyors at the office stage, which will result in a clear digital model applicable not only for visual, but even for metrological and deformation monitoring. Any mistake can be very expensive, so it is important to entrust this process to the masters of our company - we will carry out all the work in full and with maximum accuracy so that the final product will satisfy all your requests.

how to assemble a 3D scanner from scrap materials and digitize reality — T&P

The first 3D printers that cost less than a gaming computer have become a mandatory attribute of almost any hackspace or fablab (laboratory of technical creativity and electronic art).

Now 3D scanners have joined them. MIPT student and employee of the Polytechnic Museum Daniil Velovaty himself assembled a three-dimensional scanner from a laser, a webcam, and scrap materials. As part of the special project Phystech. Reader" he told T&P about the future of reality scanning.

Daniil Velovaty

It was easy to get used to 3D printers: I drew the desired detail or figure on a computer, loaded it into the printer, and a few hours later I took its embodiment in plastic. Yes, what about plastic, they are already printing in metal, and even in organic matter: they recently printed a living liver. No wonder you want to go further. The next step is scanning. Oddly enough, but before the advent of 3D printers, there was no great need to transfer a real object to the digital world: the creators of games and films simply hired artists who drew whatever was needed. The need for scanners arose only when it was important to convey the relief and shape of an object with very high accuracy. At the same time, neither the duration of the scan nor the cost were often completely unimportant. This is how the first representatives of 3D scanners appeared: lidars.

Lidar (from the English Light Detection and Ranging) is an expensive but very accurate device. It allows you to build 3D models of objects with an accuracy of millimeters, the size of which can be compared with the size of a building. From the decoding of the abbreviation LIDAR, it follows that it is any rangefinder that measures distance using light. An incredible number of devices fall under this description. But most often, devices like this are called lidars:

A special system of mirrors is placed inside the device. A phase laser rangefinder is installed here, which measures the distance using a laser, and two mirrors serve to deflect the laser beam in two planes. Thus, the ray runs through a certain sector of space and builds its 3D model. As you might guess, the speed of such a scanner depends on the speed of the rangefinder and the speed of rotation of the mirrors. And since all this is quite complex equipment that requires fine tuning, it costs quite a lot of money. It is much more profitable to order a scan than to buy the device itself. Moreover, you still need to figure out how to use it.

As industrial devices were, to put it mildly, beyond the reach of the average consumer, and the need to scan reality grew, cheap desktop and handheld 3D scanners appeared. The former, as a rule, have a turntable on which the object under study is placed. A few minutes after the start of the scan, we will get the finished model. Of course, the scan quality and the size of the scanned area are incomparable with lidars, but they cost several orders of magnitude cheaper. It is to this class of devices that the scanner we developed belongs. The main problem with these scanners is that the object to be scanned must fit on a turntable, which greatly limits the scope. Another significant disadvantage of these scanners is the incompleteness of scanning and blind spots. If, for example, you try to scan a vase, the scanner will only see its outer part, and not the cavity inside.

The second type of scanners are handheld 3D scanners. They need to be moved around the object by hand, but they build a model with the help of cameras. The operation algorithm of such scanners is much more complicated, they are more expensive, and the quality of the result is worse, but they allow you to scan large objects and spend less time on it. They look something like this:

One of the main advantages of such a scanner is that it is not limited by the scanning area. We can scan, for example, a person's face without having to place their head on a turntable. With a certain diligence, even an entire room can be scanned, if only the positioning accuracy allows it. To improve accuracy, you can stick special marks that the scanner finds and uses as reference points. Actually, in the photo above, this is what was done. This approach limits the scanning area, but, unfortunately, here either the sheep are safe or the wolves are full.

In our lab, we decided to create a cheap 3D scanner that has an accuracy comparable to that of 3D printing. This was our first serious project, so we made mistakes, misunderstood a lot, and learned even more along the way. We first built a simple laser rangefinder using a laser pointer and a webcam. To understand how a 2D camera can measure distance, you have to use your imagination. Imagine a thread stretched in the air, along which a spider is crawling. If we stand close to the rope, we see how the spider is crawling straight towards us (not a very pleasant sight). And if now we shine a lamp on this whole structure from the side, we will see a shadow on the floor. Since the light comes from the side, the projection of the spider will move along the projection of the thread. By measuring the distance from the beginning of the thread's shadow to the spider's shadow, we can calculate how far the spider has crawled by multiplying by some factor, because we are creating a contraction mapping.

Our scanner works in approximately the same way. Only instead of a thread - a laser beam, and instead of a screen with a shadow - a camera. Just as a spider moves along a thread, a spot moves along the laser beam, which occurs when this beam encounters an obstacle. Having found the position of the spot in the photograph, we can determine the distance to the object on which this spot is located. In words, it is difficult. It looks simpler in the picture:

The farther the wall, the closer to the dotted line will be the pfc point on the camera matrix

But such a rangefinder measures the distance to a single point, and this takes a very long time. Therefore, we put a lens on the laser, which turns the laser spot into a laser line. Now we measure the distance to hundreds of points at once (after all, a line can be represented as a set of points), it remains to build a system that allows this line to go through the entire object, and for this we need a turntable on which the object is placed.