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3D Systems iSense for iPad/iPhone 3D Scanner Review

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This compact, versatile 3D scanner works well but has limitations and a high price tag.

Tom's Guide Verdict

This compact, versatile 3D scanner works well but has limitations and a high price tag.

Pros
  • +

    Simple-to-use app

  • +

    fits tightly onto iPad/iPhone

  • +

    scanning process is simple and easy to follow

  • +

    includes basic editing tools

Cons
  • -

    Scanning sometimes fails in bright sunlight

  • -

    small details are often not captured

  • -

    expensive

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Today's best iSense 3D scanner deals

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Why should PC users have all the fun of 3D scanning their friends and family, in hopes of printing out 3D models? The iSense is a new 3D scanner from 3D Systems that works with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display or the fourth-generation iPad to create 3D models that can be printed on any 3D printer.

Roughly the size of a cigar, the iSense comes with a plastic bracket that attaches it to the back of the iPhone or iPad. (We tested the model that attached to the iPad mini with Retina display.) A cable connects the scanner to the device's Lightning port, and 3D Systems provides a free app that interprets the data and builds the model.

The iSense is a structured light scanner, which means that a small projector on the device emits a pattern of infrared (IR) light. You don't see this IR light, but the camera on the device does, and it uses the reflection of this light pattern to find the shape of the object. This process doesn't work on glass or especially shiny objects, as they reflect the light away.

Scanning Process

To build a 3D model, you point the camera built into the device at the object you want to scan. As you start the scan, the app creates a 3D box showing the volume of the area where the camera will scan. You can pinch and zoom to make the scan area smaller or larger. The iSense can scan objects between 1 and 5 feet away from the device, which means it won't work for very small objects (less than about 2 or 3 inches high) or big ones (larger than about 6 feet high). It works fine for a cat or a person, for instance, but you can't scan an entire car.

As you move around the subject and scan, the iSense and its app detect this movement, using it to build the new parts of the 3D model. A preview of the model is overlaid on the camera image in gray; any parts that are too close appear in red. You can pause the scan or restart from buttons on the screen.

Occasionally, the app asks you to hold still while it grabs a key frame that it uses to track the object. In our tests, it did this more often with complex and large objects, often asking us to stop every 5 seconds or so.

When you have moved all the way around the object (or as far around as you can), you should have a complete scan.

After you've scanned the object, the app processes the scan and creates the 3D model — a process that usually takes less than a minute. You can edit the model with a number of simple tools for tasks like cropping off the surface the object was sitting on, or trimming out scanning errors and bits you don't need. You can also solidify the 3D model, filling any holes, and turn the scan into a solid 3D model for printing.

MORE: How to Buy the Right 3D Printer

The scanning process with iSense is pretty smooth on most objects. We were able to scan and create models of objects ranging in size from small figurines to a full human being. It didn't work on moving objects, though: When we tried to scan a cat, the movement of the cat's head as it quizzically wondered what strange thing this human was doing confused the app. A sleeping cat could be scanned, though, as long as we let it lie. Likewise, we could scan people, as long as they stood still.

Printing Scans

Finally, you save the completed 3D model, usually to 3D Systems' own Cubify hosting service. From there, you can print the finished scan in a variety of materials and colors. (The cost of printing varies according to which material you use.) I've made a sample scan available at the Cubify service.

Alternatively, you can download the objects as .obj files to make them ready for 3D printing at home, or to use them with a different online service. If you do this, however, the color information is saved as a separate file that some services may not be able to read. When we tried to print our object through Shapeways, we had to do some conversion in another program before we could get a scanned 3D model correctly set up. Unfortunately, true-color 3D printers for the home are not yet available, so do-it-yourself prints will be only in one color.

Scanning Results

I did find that the scanner struggled to capture details on some small objects, though. The handle of a coffee cup, for instance, was only partly captured, and the final scan looked more like it had a hook than a handle. The scanner worked best on objects larger than a foot or so, and with smooth, flat surfaces. It was capable of producing a recognizable scan of a face, but don't expect it to capture every nuance of a smile.

iSense also struggled when the object was under bright sunlight, as the IR light from the sun makes it difficult for the camera to pick out the pattern it uses to detect the object. This could be difficult if you are trying to scan an outdoor sculpture on a sunny day, for instance. As you move around the sculpture to capture all of it, the camera may struggle with the parts where the sun is behind it, as it will also pick up the IR light from the sun.

The iSense is an interesting device, and it is definitely portable. Attached to an iPhone, it can easily slip into a pocket, making it convenient for on-the-road scanning. However, it has many limitations. Its ability to capture detail is weak, and it struggles in some lighting conditions. It also seems rather expensive: At $499, it costs $100 more than the Sense 3D scanner that works with a computer. If you want to create 3D scans of friends, family, pets and the odd statue, then go for it, but I think the cost overwhelms the usefulness of this device for most users.

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Today's best iSense 3D scanner deals

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Richard Baguley has been working as a technology writer and journalist since 1993. As well as contributing to Tom's Guide, he writes for Cnet, T3, Wired and many other publications.

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‎3d Scanner App™ on the App Store

Description

3D Scanner App for Mac is a desktop tool for processing photos and videos into 3D models using the power of Photogrammetry. Perfect for 3D Design, CAD, Architecture, Games Assets, AR, VR, XR. Share USDZ models via iMessage to let friends and family see your models in Augmented Reality.
Photogrammetry is done using the new Object Capture API on supported hardware.

Version 1. 1.4

ux improvments

Ratings and Reviews

13 Ratings

Amazing!

I was completely unaware of the LiDAR scanning function. I had no idea what it was until today. I was told that my new iPhone 13 Pro has it so I downloaded this app and am amazed at how it works!! I can do so many things with this option now. I am still trying to figure out how to improve my scans and am not sure what is the best way. So, to have some tutorial videos would be a great option.
The only other thing I see with this app is that there are incomplete scans no matter how you do it. There are always holes in places that you have scanned. However, it is minimal when you take into account how great it works!
I would love to be able to take a complete scan of my home without it crashing but it seems too long of a scan does that. So here is an idea for you……….
Maybe you could make an option to scan rooms separately but later be able to assemble them after the separate scans are done. This way we can make models of our complete houses!
Great work on this app! I am so happy with this creation of yours! Keep up the updates and great work! 😊

Love it!!!

Very happy with this app. It is the only one that is fully
Functional and doesn’t require a dang subscription or pay per scan!! I have one suggestion mainly because I cannot figure it out lol. I would absolutely love a way to make the scan data watertight so when I export the STL it will need minimal modification before printing or importing into CAD. For some reason I am not able to get it to function properly in Solidworks (this is not a fault of this app ) which is a bit annoying because my main hope for this is to use it to generate reference geometries that I can model off of. I am certain there is a way to do it but I haven’t quite figured out the process. Nonetheless I absolutely am blown away with this app and it is everything I was hoping for when the iPhone X came out. The 12 pro just makes it perfect!

This is a game changer.

I’ve been using this app to take quick scans of a room and then be able to revisit those scans to pull measurements. I then use those measurements to order material. It is a great way to visualize the room while you are shopping for the materials. I am sure that you can find many other uses for this app. I am not sure if it allows you to import the files into blender, unreal, or any other app like that, but for what i use it for it is golden. Thank you, please keep up the great work because right now you are the best scanning app I’ve used to date. I would love a decimate feature that would allow us to simplify scans to the most basic geometry, but in an imperfect world you come through perfectly.

The developer, Laan Labs, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Usage Data
  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

Seller
Laan Consulting Corp

Size
6. 7 MB

Category
Utilities

Age Rating
4+

Copyright
© 2021 Laan Labs

Price
Free

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

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‎App Store: 3d Scanner App™

Description

3D Scanner App for Mac is a desktop tool for processing photos and videos into 3D models using the power of Photogrammetry. Perfect for 3D Design, CAD, Architecture, Games Assets, AR, VR, XR. Share USDZ models via iMessage to let friends and family see your models in Augmented Reality.
Photogrammetry is done using the new Object Capture API on supported hardware. nine0012

Version 1.1.4

ux improvments

Ratings and reviews

1 rating

How do they annoy

How pissed off people are with devices without lidar and who write about what doesn't work for them...
They simply take and lower the rating with their ignorance of how the application works.

nine0033

Dimasik san

Great application, crashes when processing large objects, but it's understandable. the application is still raw

I already scanned the whole house)

I think if you make it so that objects could be shared on social networks or somewhere else, it would blow up the Internet))

Everything cool!

IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR DEVICES WITH A LiDAR SCANNER!
Thanks for the developers for a great free app

Developer Laan Labs has indicated that, in accordance with the application's privacy policy, data may be processed as described below. Detailed information is available in the developer's privacy policy.

Unrelated with user data

The following data may be collected, which is not related to the user's identity:

  • Usage Data nine0004
  • Diagnostics

Sensitive Data may be used differently depending on your age, features involved, or other factors. More

Information

Provider
Laan Consulting Corp.

nine0017
Size
6.7 MB

Category
Utilities

Age
4+

Copyright
© 2021 Laan Labs

Price
Free

  • Developer site nine0004
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

Other apps from this developer

You may like

Turn your iPad into a 3D scanner with this accessory

La 3d technology is part of what the future of this sector will be, and therefore many companies are involved in related projects. P is known to everyone for the project Tango, a tablet developed by the Google ATAP team that has 3D capabilities and can be applied to the world of video games. Among other things, this device is capable of scanning various types of objects, people, and even spaces such as rooms. In the iPad Accessory , what we are dealing with in these lines is not so difficult, although it does have some of these functions. nine0012

3D scanning along with 3D printing are considered useful tools to be used in the coming years, but there are already signs of their impact and their usefulness today. A few months ago, 3D Systems presented at CES in Las Vegas in 2014 a device that allows you to scan 3D objects that can then be printed on one of the company's printers. A little later, last summer, they took another step forward with the introduction of the iSense 3D Scanner for iPad 9.0127 , an accessory that allows such actions.

This company competes with 3D Primesense , a developer of 3D vision systems that was responsible for the production of Microsoft's first Kinect and which was later acquired by Apple in a million-dollar move from Cupertino. As we said, to find ourselves, we can come up with an accessory that gives the iPad similar (albeit much simpler) functionality to the Project Tango tablet by simply attaching it to the top of one side and connecting Lightning port.

contents

  • 1 Main functions
  • 2 Specifications, requirements and price

Main functions

Apple (Apple is still the world's largest tablet manufacturer) by integrating the necessary features to capture an image in three dimensions. people, household items, sculptures, etc. what we find on the street thanks to two cameras and a sensor unit that unites. In addition, thanks to its design that fits perfectly and measures less than 3 mm thick and weighs 100 grams , it is not too cumbersome to transport and use in various situations and applications.

As explained on their website, you can visit this link, the device is optimized to scan objects of a wide variety of sizes, ranging from a few centimeters to several meters. The specifications indicate this information, the ability to capture objects 20 centimeters to 3 meters (cubic), sufficient for example to scan an entire machine.

There are several additional features that will improve the user experience. The clearest example of this is the Automatic Object Recognition System , which will greatly aid in successful scanning. In the same way, iSense offers a simple and fast editing program for adapting 3D models to files that can be printed on a 3D printer. And this is one of their big bets, those who have a 3D printer of this brand ( 3D Cube ) will be able to easily move designs from digital to physical and from physical to digital, even when we are away from home with the help of a cloud printing system.

Specifications, requirements and price

As you can imagine, not all iPads are compatible, in which case the iSense 3D Scanner can be used with iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 4 and iPad Retina Provided they have at least would update iOS 7.

Learn more