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Slant community chat on Discord| 9 Recommended Products | Recommendations | Resolution at minimum scanning distance | Resolution at maximum scanning distance | File formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Artec Eva· · · | 5 | 0 | 0.5 mm | 3 mm | OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB |
| #2 Occipital Structure Sensor· · · | 3 | 0 | 0.5 mm | 30.0 mm | OBJ, PLY, STL, VRML |
| #3 DAVID SLS-3· · · | 3 | 0 | 0.05 mm | 0.25 mm | OBJ, STL, PLY |
| #4 EinScan-Pro· · · | 7 | 0 | 0.05 mm | 0.1 mm | OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY |
| #5 Sense 3D Scanner· · · | 1 | 0 | 1 mm | Not stated | WRL, STL, PLY, OBJ |
| #6 Shining 3D EINSCAN-S· · · | 1 | 0 | 0.1 mm | 0.1 mm | STL, ASC |
Pro Impressive resolution
In terms of scan quality, this is one of the best handheld 3D scanners available. The maximum resolution of the unit is an impressive 0.5 mm at the minimum 0.4 m scanning distance.
Pro Good price-performance ratio
For professionals that don't have a permanent studio set up or that need the versatility that a handheld scanner provides, the Artec Eva is a great option. The generated scans can be used for commercial-level endeavors, and easily dwarf the quality of scans of consumer-level devices. Though the...
Pro Wide variety of output formats
The data gathered from this device can be used in almost every CAD application. The full list of supported formats is impressive: OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57 and XYZRGB. The scanned data can be used for purely geometric design operations (like editing and redesigning scanned sh...
Con Resolution levels decrease with distance
The further away from the object you go, the more the scan resolution deteriorates, which is normal for handheld scanner. At the maximum distance of scanning distance of 1.0 m, the resolution is only 3 mm.
Con Requires a powerful computer
The scanner itself is so powerful that a fairly high-end computer is required to process the data it outputs. An i5 processor or higher is required, as well as a whopping 12GB of RAM. Without a 1GB dedicated video card, you'll encounter many hangups during the scanning process.
Con The structured light sensor can be dangerous
The Artec Eva is a structured light scanner,, which projects a pattern of light onto the subject and measures distortions from multiple angles to compute the 3D surface of the model. This requires a powerful light source which can cause damage if shone directly into one's eyes. If 3D scanning a...
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 satisf...
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.
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...
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.
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:...
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 g...
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, t...
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 do...
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 sc...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
Con Expensive
This device is quite expensive, making it a purely industrial product, as only medium or large companies are able to afford it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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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