3D scanners are devices used to analyze real-world objects or environments to collect data on their shape, dimensions, and, in some cases, surface colors. This data is then used to create a digital 3D model of the object, which can be used for various purposes like 3D printing, industrial design, reverse engineering, virtual reality, and cultural preservation.
Here are some common types of 3D scanners:
1. Laser Scanners: These scanners project a laser onto the surface of an object, and a sensor captures the reflected light. Based on the time taken for the light to return, the scanner calculates the object’s dimensions.
2. Structured Light Scanners: These scanners project a pattern of light (like grids or stripes) onto the object. By analyzing the distortion of this pattern, the scanner determines the 3D shape of the object.
3. Photogrammetry: This technique uses a series of photographs taken from different angles. Software then stitches these images together to create a 3D model.
4. Contact Scanners: These involve a probe that physically touches the surface of the object, taking measurements point by point. They’re very accurate but slower than non-contact methods.
5. Handheld 3D Scanners: Portable devices that allow users to move around an object while scanning. They are versatile and useful for objects of varying sizes.
6. Time-of-Flight Scanners: These use a laser pulse and measure the time it takes for the pulse to reflect off the object and return, building a model based on distance.
7. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Often used in mapping large areas, such as landscapes or buildings, LiDAR scanners send out pulsed lasers and measure the reflected pulses to create precise 3D models.