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What is the best alternative to Artec Eva?
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Sense 3D Scanner
All
17
Experiences
Pros
9
Cons
7
Specs
Top
Pro
Affordable
If you want to start doing 3D scans without spending thousands of dollars, this might be an option for you, since this budget 3D scanner is quite affordable, costing even less than some accessories for professional 3D scanners.
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Con
Difficult to create a proper scanning environment
Getting a solid, high-quality scan out of the device can require very specific criteria, such as dangling the target object from the ceiling, to fully separate it from background elements, or building a custom stabilizer. Otherwise, scans can suffer from stitching issues, undesired objects being scanned, or overall poor scan quality.
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Pro
Light computer hardware requirements
Even though a computer is required to use this scanner, its hardware does not need to be high-end. An Intel Core i5 or equivalent will handle the processing, and 2GB of RAM are enough to keep things running smoothly.
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Con
Very poor scanning resolution
This scanner's resolution is, at best, 1 mm. This can result in inaccurate and sparsely detailed scans, so make sure you can work with this kind of resolution on your 3D applications before purchasing this 3D scanner.
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Pro
Comes with free software
Besides its affordable price, the Sense comes with completely free software. There are also no “advanced” or “professional“ paid version upgrades, so you can use the program's full set of features for free.
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Con
Cannot run unless connected to a computer
The Sense has no internal memory, and cannot be run without being connected to a computer, which makes on-the-fly scanning more difficult.
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Pro
Good for casual use
Overall scan quality is in the lower mid-range, but this device easily serves the needs of the casual user who is simply tinkering or using scans for simple objects.
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Con
Can be difficult to aim
There's no simple way to ensure that the Sense is still on target while scanning, unless you can keep an eye on the computer screen. If that's too inconvenient, a possible solution is having two people manage the scan, but that creates a whole new set of issues. All this is aggravated by the USB cord his short (6 feet only).
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Pro
Exports to multiple formats
The Sense can export scans to several major formats (WRL, STL, PLY, OBJ), which makes saving and using scans in multiple frameworks much less of a hassle.
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Con
Has trouble in several lighting scenarios
The Sense uses an IR-based Structured Light system for scans, which is vulnerable to some issues: low light easily confuses the scanner, as well as uneven lighting. Bright lights in the background can often disrupt the scans entirely, and scanning in direct sunlight also renders the scanner almost unusable. The scanner works best in "studio" lighting: lots of indirect, diffused lighting will ensure high scan quality.
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Pro
Can scan relatively large objects
The maximum target object size is 2 meters, in all directions, which is a high limit. However, the scanner must stay between 0.2 m and 1.6m from the target.
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Con
Has trouble with transparent and shiny objects
While reflective surfaces are a problem for many 3D scanners, this is particularly problematic for the Sense, as the its IR sensor can have difficulty resolving objects under unusual lighting, according to this review.
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Pro
Good scanning range
The Sense can scan objects that are as close as 0.2 m, up to those that are 1.6 m away, which is further away than some industrial-grade scanners. With a fairly wide field of view, even capturing an object as large as a person only takes a few minutes and won't require stitching multiple scans together. It should be noted, however, that scanning small objects will not wield good results with this scanner, due to its resolution specs.
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Con
Cannot be adapted for turntables
Keeping the scanner in a single position and rotating an object in front of it doesn't work with this scanner, since it relies on seeing changes on the environment surrounding the target to perform the scan.
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Pro
Captures color
This scanner is capable of capturing color features of target objects, which has several advantages, such as making visual review of scanned objects much simpler or facilitating use of those scans with 3D printers that allow for color printing.
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Pro
Portable
The Sense's relatively small size makes it fairly easy to pack away safely and avoid any unfortunate mishaps in transit. It's easy to use in any place you can get a laptop set up. Barely over 7 inches at its longest dimension, it even fits snugly into most laptop bags.
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Specs
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
Not stated
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
1 mm
File formats:
WRL, STL, PLY, OBJ
Maximum scanning distance:
1.6 m
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Experiences
$399
28
2
Artec Space Spider
All
6
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Great scan resolution
The 0.1mm resolution is the best available for a handheld 3D scanner. This scanner combines the freedom and versatility of a handheld scanner with the accuracy of a stationary unit.
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Con
Expensive
This device is quite expensive, making it a purely industrial product, as only medium or large companies are able to afford it.
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Pro
Companion software is great
Artec Studio, the official software for this scanner, is versatile, user friendly, and very well documented. Every aspect of the software is described well on the official documentation. It’s also powerful and intuitive, making it quite worth the hefty price.
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Con
Scanning distance is quite limited
In order to get maximum precision, you need to make sure the scanner stays within the 0.2 m - 0.3 m range distance from the target object. This 0.1 m margin is low for a handheld device and can be an issue, especially since it takes several minutes to complete a scan.
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Con
Official software requires an extra investment
As with other Artec scanners, purchasing an Artec Studio annual license costs $400.
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Specs
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.1 mm
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.15 mm
File formats:
OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB
Scanning technology:
Structured Light Scanning
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€19,700
8
0
Fuel3D SCANIFY
All
6
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Great scanning resolution
As a handheld 3D scanner, the 0.35mm scanning resolution gives out great results. It even beats more expensive scanners like the Artec Eva.
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Con
You need to be close to the target object
The recommended distance between the scanner and the object is between 0.35 and 0.45 m, which is quite limited and as the secondary effect of limiting the maximum object dimensions. Scans made outside the specified range yields unusable data.
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Pro
Scanning process is quick
It only takes a fraction of a second to capture a single scan. This is great for scanning in a dynamic environment. It also makes face scans hassle-free, since other SLS 3D scanners struggle to capture them, due to micro movements.
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Con
The software is quite complicated to use
This scanner operates by combining stereoscopy (used to assess depth of an image) and photometry (used to measure brightness of light), which has the disadvantage of needing multiple scans of the same object to be arranged by the user. While not impossible to learn, you will need to take some time to read through technical documentation and watch the tutorial videos provided by Fuel3D.
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Con
You may end up having to pay for software
Even though there’s a free version of Fuel3D Studio, it’s very limited in features when compared to the Advanced version, which costs $190.00/month. For example, the free version only allows you to stitch up to six scans, while the Advanced version allows you to combine an unlimited amount of scans, resulting in higher resolutions and better overall scan quality.
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Specs
File formats:
STL, OBJ, PLY
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.35 mm
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
Not stated
Scanning technology:
Fusion of Stereoscopic and Photometric data
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$1,490
19
1
DAVID SLS-3
All
13
Experiences
Pros
8
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
Scanning process is easy
Unlike setup and calibration, the scanning process itself is quite easy. Scanning an object from multiple positions is enough to merge the data and form a 360 degree mesh.
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Con
Limited workspace
The SLS-3 system is limited by the maximum size of objects it can scan, a problem which exists for pretty much all stationary 3D scanners. This scanner's maximum allowed dimensions are 500 mm in any direction, and it's impossible to use it to scan larger objects, unlike handheld scanners, that can be used to scan objects that are quite big.
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Pro
Included software is powerful and intuitive to use
To operate this scanner, you’ll need the HP 3D Scan Software Pro V5 installed on your computer. The software license is bundled with the scanner itself, so you won’t need to buy it separately. The software is simple to use and intuitive, but also quite powerful. It’s divided into three main parts: setup, scanning and shape function. This means that, during the scanning stage, for example, you’ll only be presented with the functions relevant for that stage.
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Con
Harsh calibration procedure
Calibrating the scanner is very unforgiving. You’ll need to find the ideal positions of the cameras, the projector and the object itself just for one scan. You’ll have to adjust the focus, distance and the angle of both the camera and projector manually. After doing all that, you’ll then have to double check everything using the DAVID software. All in all, it’s a very time-consuming effort that needs to be repeated for every new target object.
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Pro
Maximum resolution of 0.05 mm
This 3D scanner can push its resolution to up to 0.05 mm, at 10 cm distance from the object (keep in mind that in order to be able to achieve this result you’ll have to spend hours calibrating the device). The overall result is very impressive, since a 0.05 mm resolution allows to scan objects in great detail. For example, you can theoretically scan a human hair using this scanner. This is a very powerful tool if used properly.
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Con
Unintuitive setup
The setup procedure is unintuitive, and requires thoroughly reading the manual. First, you’ll need to connect the DAVID camera and projector to your computer, then you’ll have to install all software and drivers provided in a USB stick, then configure the projector as an extended screen.
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Pro
Capable of capturing color
As the unit only has a monochrome camera, color capturing is achieved by measuring reflectivity on the surface of the scanned object.
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Con
Resolution drops with distance
As expected with this kind of scanner, resolution drops if you increase the distance to the target object. At a distance of 500 mm from the object, the resolution is only 0.25mm (5 times worst than the resolution at 100 mm).
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Pro
Plenty of great accessories available
Besides cables and hard cases, this scanner has plenty of accessories to choose from. There’s the TT-1 Automatic Turntable ( $1160.00 ), which makes 360 degree scans easier, or the DSL-1 Desk Scan Lever ( $650.00 ), which gives the scanner some extra free space for more complicated 3D scans. Another notable accessory is the SLS-3 Stereo Camera Upgrade Kit ( $1795.00 ), which improves scan quality by adding a second camera, at the cost of complicating even more the default setup, since both cameras need to be individually calibrated.
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Pro
Good for teaching purposes
Calibrating this scanner is quite time-consuming and tricky, which can be annoying for regular use, but can be useful for teaching purposes, since the setup process itself helps understanding how structured light 3D scanning works.
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Pro
Enhanced texture
This scanner's high precision 1080p camera enhances the textures of scanned objects.
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Pro
Exports into STL, OBJ and PLY formats
This 3D scanner is designed to export purely geometric 3D formats, and is therefore capable of generating STL, OBJ and PLY files, which are more than enough for reverse engineering and geometry editing with most CAD software.
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Specs
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.25 mm
File formats:
OBJ, STL, PLY
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.05 mm
Scanning technology:
Structured Light Scanning
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Experiences
$3,995
15
1
EinScan-Pro
All
10
Experiences
Pros
6
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Four modes can suit most scanning needs
The EinScan Pro has four modes (though two of them require an add-on), each matching a specific need. With no add-ons, the device can be used on the Handheld Rapid and HD Scan modes, which offer differing levels of accuracy and methods for stitching. With the industrial add-on pack, the EinScan-Pro can also detect color and texture, and the Automatic and Free Scan modes use a turntable for very fast, accurate scans of small objects.
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Con
Requires high-end hardware
EinScan recommends at least 2GB of dedicated video memory, 8GB of RAM, and an i5 processor or higher. While the processor requirements aren't too severe, the dedicated video memory minimum is quite high. However, when compared to the cost of the scanner, a computer like this may not be too much to ask.
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Pro
Good cost-to-quality ratio
The EinScan-Pro boasts professional quality similar to the Artec Eva, at a third the price. While still costly for the basic tinkerer, this scanner is of sufficient quality to appeal to more advanced users.
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Con
Does not operate outside
As is the case for many optical scanners, the EinScan-Pro has difficulty dealing with very bright light. Scanning outside, during the day is difficult, if not impossible.
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Pro
Software can automatically stitch scans together
When multiple scans of an object are taken, to form the 3D model, there is often a step that requires the user to manually align scans to form the whole image. Some exceptions aside, the software used alongside the EinScan-Pro can do this automatically with surprising accuracy, making everything much easier.
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Con
Does not scan color or texture by default
An additional module is required to enable the scanning of color and textures.
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Pro
If enabled, free and automatic scans are incredibly fast
If one purchases the Industrial Add-on Pack, which adds a turntable and a tripod for $700, objects on the turntable can be scanned with uncanny speed: one or two 2 second scans can produce a very high-quality 3D model, even on a glossy surface: example
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Pro
Slick look
While not necessary to the functionality of the scanner, the EinScan-Pro has a nice, sharp look that goes well in any modern office or home.
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Pro
Very light
The EinScan-Pro only weighs 0.8 kg (less than 2 lbs), allowing for an easy, smooth, and comfortable scanning process, even over long periods of time.
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Specs
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.1 mm
File formats:
OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.05 m
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Experiences
$5,399
34
5
Occipital Structure Sensor
All
12
Experiences
Pros
8
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Very affordable
This 3D scanner is quite affordable for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. Decent 3D scanning systems are hard to come by at the price the OSS costs and, while there are other, more affordable, tablet-attachable 3D scanning systems, this unit beats the competition in product quality and customer satisfaction.
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Con
Can't be used as a standalone device
Since this is not a standalone scanner, you’ll need to have a compatible iPad to use it. Alternatively, advanced users have the option to buy a bracketless sensor that can be attached to fixed installations, robots, iPhones or Android devices, but this requires considerable setup. There's also the option of using it with a desktop computer, but in this case the desktop software needs to be bought.
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Pro
No object size limit
Since this is a handheld device, theoretically there is no size limit for target objects, as long as the specified distance ranges are respected.
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Con
Scanning software doesn't have many features
This device's scanning software, Structure, is very simple. Consequently, it doesn't as many features or extra options as some other scanning apps.
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Pro
Export format can be imported to virtually all CAD software
By default, the only export option is the OBJ format. This is enough for most cases, given that this file format can be imported into pretty much any modern CAD software.
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Con
Scan resolution decreases dramatically with distance
As the distance from the target object increases, the scan quality drops dramatically. At the maximum distance of 3.5 m, the resolution drops to 30-35 mm, which is virtually unusable.
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Pro
Free and easy-to-use official software
This 3D scanner's official software is available for free, which is great for hobbyists, considering that several other manufacturers sell their software licenses for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Setting everything up is quite simple, just plug in the device to your iPad and it will automatically install an app for sensor calibration (Calibrator) and an app for scanning (Structure). Both apps have simple and intuitive interfaces.
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Pro
Dedicated app for creating room 3D models
Room Capture is another popular and freely available app for this device. It can be used to create a 3D model of an entire room. The process itself is very straightforward, just run the application and scan the room (the app will guide you through the scanning process). The program will take care of all scanning data, no prior expertise or external processing software is necessary. This feature is particularly useful for those in real estate.
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Pro
Extra export options, if using the Skanect software
If used with the paid Skanect software, scans be exported in the PLY, STL and VRML formats. It should be noted that Skanect is a desktop-based application, so it cannot be used with the iPad or other mobile devices and requires attaching the scanner to a computer.
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Pro
Advanced desktop software available
This device also has a macOS/Windows desktop application called Skanect, which allows it to be used while connected to a computer. It extends the capabilities of the basic Structure Sensor, but the professional version of this software costs $129.
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Pro
Decent resolution at close range
This iPad attachment has a maximum resolution of 0.5mm at 40 cm range, which is quite decent for scanning small objects at a close distance.
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Specs
File formats:
OBJ, PLY, STL, VRML
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.5 mm
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
30.0 mm
Scanning technology:
Depth Sensing (patent-pending)
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Experiences
$379
39
15
Makerbot Digitizer
All
6
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Convenient automated scanning process
Using the scanner’s automated turning table results in accurate 360-degree scans of the target object, which is quicker and more convenient than moving the object (or the scanner) to get all of its sides.
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Con
Can only scan small objects
This device can only scan objects that fit in the 20.3 cm cubic space "seen" by the scanner. There is no way to increase this size.
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Pro
Straightforward calibration process
Since the camera and the laser generators are in a fixed position, calibrating them is quite simple. This needs to be done periodically, in order to get optimal results. The scanner can calibrate itself, the user only has to follow some simple instructions (like placing the calibration tool on the device's turning table).
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Con
Has many poor user reviews
Almost half of the Amazon customer reviews gave this product a one star rating. Common complaints say the scanner underperforms compared to advertised specs, has issues with sharp edge scanning or just outright fails to work. Their technical support service has also been criticized heavily.
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Pro
Companion software is very user friendly
MakerWare for Digitizer, the companion software for this scanner, is quite intuitive to use. After placing the object in the scanner's turntable, you can simply open MakerWare and start scanning. When you have enough scans of the object, you can then fuse all of them into a 360 degree STL model.
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Specs
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.5 mm
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.5 mm
File formats:
STL, Thing
Scanning technology:
Laser Light Triangulation
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$799
2
0
Shining 3D EINSCAN-S
All
6
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Great value
Few other scanners around this prince range are capable of a 0.1 mm resolution. This scanner also has fantastic build quality with very sturdy parts.
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Con
Software is unintuitive
You’re likely to run into problems while producing your very first scan. Even though the software isn’t overly complex, it’s also not very intuitive to use. While the setup process is quick (requiring only setting up texture detail and light), it does not give you any sort of indication that a scan is in progress even after pressing the scan button. After a while, the points will simply appear. There’s also no message to indicate that the scan has finished.
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Pro
Automated turntable for easier scanning
The automated turntable is a great feature to have, since it eliminates the need to manually monitor and manipulate the object being scanned. As the scanning process takes more than 10 minutes, you can simply relax or do other work while it's being done.
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Con
Cable management is a hassle
Both the scanner and the turntable have to be connected to a computer using two individual USB cables. They also have two more individual power supply cables and a single VGA cable which is used to connect the scanner and computer. This brings the cable total to five for the whole set-up, which can be quite annoying.
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Pro
Convenient positioning and alignment
Most stationary 3D scanners struggle to find the right distance between the object and the scanner to get the camera focus correctly. To make this procedure easier, Shining 3D provides an alignment guide with marked positions for the turntable and scanner.
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Specs
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.1 mm
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.1 mm
File formats:
STL, ASC
Minimum scanning distance:
Distance is fixed
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$999
8
0
Next Engine 3D Scanner HD
All
6
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Captures color and textures
This scanner can capture color and texture details.
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Con
Much slower than instant capture solutions
Scans can take a while. Buying the PRO software option unlocks faster performance, which when optimized can take ~5 minutes for full-turntable scans at minimum resolution and no texture. The time to scan scales up from there depending on scan resolution and texture capture.
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Pro
Hands Free
With the included turntable, setup is easy and capture is automated.
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Con
Not very portable
Despite being a relatively small device, this scanner is not very portable, especially when compared to handheld scanners.
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Pro
Nice resolution
This scanner's macro mode has 0.005 inch accuracy, with 400dpi. Its wide mode accuracy is 0.015 inch, with 150dpi.
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Specs
File formats:
STL, OBJ, VRML, XYZ, PLY
Resolution at minimum scanning distance:
0.005 inches
Resolution at maximum scanning distance:
0.015 inches
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$2,995
2
0
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