Scan3D, based in Barcelona, specialises in high-definition 3D scanning for a wide variety of objects, including cultural heritage cataloging, reverse engineering applications and others. They provide detailed digitalizations with photorealistic textures and optimized 3D mesh topology for interactive presentations, marketing, and product design across different devices and platforms.
In which of these 3D technology variants can we help you?
What is 3D scanning?
3D scanning is a technique that allows capturing the three-dimensional shape of physical objects for subsequent processing and analysis in digital environments. It’s like taking a picture of an object, but instead of a flat image, you get a 3D image that shows how wide, tall, and deep it is.
- 3D Scanning Technologies: There are several technologies for 3D scanning, but the main ones are laser scanning, photogrammetry, and structured light. Laser scanning uses a laser to measure the distance to points on the object’s surface, photogrammetry uses high-resolution images to calculate three-dimensional dimensions, and structured light projects light patterns onto the object and measures the deformation of these patterns to calculate its shape.
- Types of 3D Scanners: 3D scanners can be portable or tabletop. Portable scanners are ideal for scanning large or hard-to-reach objects, while tabletop scanners are better suited for small and detailed objects. Some scanners are manual, requiring the operator to move the device over the object, while others are automatic and can scan an entire object quickly.
- Applications of 3D Scanning: 3D scanning is used in a wide range of applications, including reverse engineering, additive manufacturing (3D printing), architecture and construction, cultural heritage preservation, medicine and dentistry, animation and the video game industry, as well as forensic documentation and industrial quality inspection, packaging …
- 3D Data Processing: Once the scanning is done, the 3D data needs to be processed. This involves cleaning and aligning data points, creating a 3D model, and, in some cases, applying textures or colors to the surface.
- Accuracy and Resolution: Accuracy and resolution are two important aspects of 3D scanning. Accuracy refers to how closely the scanned data matches the real shape of the object, while resolution is related to how many details can be captured. The choice of technology and the right scanner depends on the specific requirements of each application.
- Challenges and Limitations: Although 3D scanning is a powerful tool, it has its challenges. Some objects may be difficult to scan due to their transparency, reflectivity, or complex geometry. Additionally, processing large sets of 3D data can be resource-intensive in terms of computing resources.
- Ethics and Privacy: In certain contexts, such as 3D scanning of people or private properties, ethical and privacy concerns arise. It’s important to consider these issues when using 3D scanning technology.
