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Electronics3D Scanning

What are the best handheld 3D scanners for professional use ?

4

Options
Considered

14

User
Recs.

Feb 10, 2021

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

4 Options Considered

Best handheld 3D scanners for professional use	Price	Resolution at maximum scanning distance	File formats
-- EinScan-Pro	$5,399	0.1 mm	OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY
-- Artec Eva	$14,900	3 mm	OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB
-- Artec Space Spider	€19,700	0.15 mm	OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB
-- Polyga H3	9,990	-	-

EinScan-Pro

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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. See More

Top 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. See More

Specs

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:0.1 mm

File formats:OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.05 m

Top 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. See More

Top 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. See More

Top 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. See More

Top Con

Does not scan color or texture by default

An additional module is required to enable the scanning of color and textures. See More

Top 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 See More

Top 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. See More

Top 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. See More

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Artec Eva

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Top 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. See More

Top 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 person's face, for instance, it's imperative their eyes remain closed. See More

Specs

File formats:OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:3 mm

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.5 mm

Maximum scanning distance:1.0 m

Top Pro

Can be used with Artec Studio, which is very helpful

This scanner can be used with the Artec Studio software, which is a very versatile tool. Amateurs can use this software in Autopilot mode, making the process as simple as answering a couple of simple questions about the object (shape/colour/texture) and letting the software do the rest on its own. Professionals, on the other hand, can use the “full toolbox” that allows them to manipulate and process the scanned data. These features make the software worth the hefty investment (a license costs $400 per year). There’s also a free 30-day trial version (containing all features) of this software. See More

Top Con

Poor selection of scanner accessories

Besides standard cables, there are barely any accessories provided by the manufacturer. The only ones available are battery packs and hard cases. For both items, the prices are only available upon request. See More

Top Pro

Can scan traditionally difficult materials

Many 3D scanners have issues with reflective, dark, or low density materials. The Artec Eva is capable of scanning materials with these characteristics with good results, as shown in this review. See More

Top 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. See More

Top Pro

Relatively quick scanning makes scanning living subjects easier

Even small movements can ruin a 3D scan when scanning a living subject. The Eva can scan a human face in about 20 seconds in ideal conditions, and extremities can take less than a minute, with only minor issues. Therefore, this scanner is very popular for full body scanning: in fact, it was used to create the first ever body scan of Barack Obama back in 2014. See More

Top Con

Annoying cables needed

The Eva requires a power cable and a USB cable to run. While both are long enough for simple use, they can be easily tangled, stepped on, or even scanned by mistake. Using the external Power Pack is a possible, albeit expensive, solution to this particular issue. See More

Top Pro

Certified accuracy

Every Artec Eva scanner comes with a certificate guaranteeing its accuracy. This certificate complies with VDI (Association of German Engineers) standards. See More

Top Con

Very expensive

The Eva has a high price tag, it requires a fairly powerful laptop to function (due to the intense resources needed to process its scans), and the software that can be used with it is expensive. With a cost this high, many businesses may prefer to sacrifice portability and choose a high-end static device capable of achieving better results. See More

Top 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 price is high, the high quality can justify the price tag for high-end users. See More

Top Con

No free software available

When you get this 3D scanner, make sure you set aside enough money to invest in software. All the available software options are quite expensive, including Artec Studio (an yearly license costs $400). See More

Top Pro

Can be used with Geomagic Design X

Geomagic Design X, a powerful software for reverse engineering and creating feature-based, editable solid models compatible with most CAD programs, is available to be used with the Artec Eva. It should be noted this powerful software costs even more than the scanner itself. See More

Top 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. See More

Top Pro

Built-in light source for better scanning conditions

Because the Eva projects its own light on the target object, it tends to always get good scan results, even in less-than-favorable lighting conditions. That being said, extreme lighting conditions (such as very dim lighting or very bright background lights, such as sunlight) can still harm scan quality. See More

Top 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 shapes), as well as for applications involving shape, colour and texture of objects (art and design based applications). This array of file formats, which includes some that are proprietary or uncommonly used, avoids having to take annoying extra steps for converting files to the desired format. See More

Top Pro

Good field of view size

The field view of this scanner is 536 x 371 mm, meaning you can capture a scene with this size with just a single shot. See More

Top Pro

No object size limit

As a handheld scanner, there is theoretically no limit to scannable object size, as long as you can keep a distance between 0.4 m and 1.0 m from the object you are scanning. The Artec Eva can be successfully used to scan tiny LEGO figures, human bodies and entire minivans. See More

Top Pro

Good documentation available

The Artec Eva is well documented, with high quality manuals available for download from the manufacturer’s website. There are also plenty of YouTube tutorials on how to use the device. See More

Top Pro

Can capture color and texture

The Artec Eva is capable of capturing surface features of target objects, such as color and texture details. See More

Top Pro

It's possible to export directly to SolidWorks

A SolidWorks CAD plugin allows users to export newly scanned 3D objects directly to SolidWorks. However, this plugin is expensive, costing around $6,000. See More

Top Pro

Easy to handle

The Eva is comfortable to manipulate: the handle fits nicely on one's hand, and good weight distribution facilitates a steady scan, as long as the unit remains vertically aligned. See More

Top Pro

Very simple to set up

The initial setup procedure of this unit is surprisingly simple. After powering it up and connecting it to a computer, you just need to activate the scanner through the Artec Installation Center program on your computer. AIC can be installed together with Artec Studio or directly from the manufacturer’s website for free. After that, you can simply launch Artec Studio and begin scanning. See More

Artec Space Spider

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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. See More

Top Con

Official software requires an extra investment

As with other Artec scanners, purchasing an Artec Studio annual license costs $400. See More

Specs

File formats:OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASCII, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB

Resolution at maximum scanning distance:0.15 mm

Resolution at minimum scanning distance:0.1 mm

Minimum scanning distance:0.2 m

Top 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. See More

Top 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. See More

Top Con

Expensive

This device is quite expensive, making it a purely industrial product, as only medium or large companies are able to afford it. See More

Polyga H3

Specs

ACCURACY:up to 80 microns

FILE FORMATS:PLY, OBJ, STL, ASC, FBX, 3D3

SOFTWARE:FlexScan3D

SCANNING TECHNOLOGY:Structured-light, proprietary multi-imaging pattern for 3D capture

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