3D scanning

How 3D scanning works 
A 3D scanner creates a digital 3D model of an existing object or space. It is essentially the reverse of 3D printing – you start with a physical object and end up with a file on the computer. 

The scanner measures the distance and position of thousands of points on the surface of an object. All those points together form a point cloud. The software then connects all the points into a 3D model, which you can use in video games or for a 3D print. 

Software 
We use RevoScan Metro for 3D scanning. At Make, we have a workstation where you can edit your scans. 

Materials 
The scanner has difficulty with shiny, black and transparent objects – the light doesn’t reflect consistently off these surfaces.