It requires significant effort to create 3D models from scratch. Fortunately, 3D scanners have greatly expedited this process, saving valuable time and energy that would otherwise be spent on manual design. These scanners allow anyone to capture real-world objects and transform them into digital models.
Once scanned and imported into software applications, even beginners can achieve professional-quality designs. Therefore, 3D scanning plays a crucial role in enhancing the level of detail and improving the overall design of 3D models.
The applications of 3D scanners are vast, catering to both leisure and professional needs. They are valuable tools in product development and design, as they allow for reverse engineering of captured models, enabling enhancements or modifications to their features. 3D scanners are also instrumental in documentation and archiving, facilitating the preservation of artifacts in 3D digital form for historians and researchers.
The market offers a variety of 3D scanners with diverse designs and functionalities, catering to different user requirements. Here are some of the top-rated 3D scanners in 2023:
1 Creality CR-Scan Ferret 3D Scanner
Overview
Creality offers a wide range of products in the market of 3D equipment. While the company is known for its 3D printers, Creality also has introduced its line of 3D scanners to match its other inventions. After all, these inventions are not mere devices or equipment for 3D printing but also solutions for different industry sectors such as education, manufacturing, and so on.
With the release of CR-Scan Ferret, Creality offers the most affordable handheld 3D scanner to pair with its 3D printers. It's easy to use and is sold at a reasonable price. Anyone can have a high-quality 3D scanner that meets or even exceeds their expectations due to its portable design and powerful functions.
This handheld 3D scanner uses structured lighting technology to get a vivid colorful 3D model of real objects. The CR-Scan Ferret can scan their geometries and textures without complication. Even if this 3D scanner is small, it's large in its ability to deliver smooth scans in high quality.
Features
Fast and Smooth Scan
One of the notable features of the CR-Scan Ferret is of up to 30 frames per second (FPS), enabling quick and efficient scanning. It employs a dedicated ASIC chip that enhances scanning fluency. With a scanning accuracy of up to 0.1mm and a 3D resolution of 0.16mm, users can expect precise and detailed results. The scanner provides instant 3D point cloud data of the scanned object, streamlining the scanning process.
Full-Color Scanning
The CR-Scan Ferret supports full-color scanning, incorporating a built-in high-resolution color camera to capture the textures of real-world objects accurately. This feature is particularly beneficial for human face and body scanning, product design, art, and various other applications where color fidelity is crucial.
Outdoor Scanning
The CR-Scan Ferret is also suitable for outdoor scanning, thanks to its advanced structured light technology and intelligent algorithm. It can maintain excellent performance even in bright sunlight, making it useful for professionals in fields like archaeology or geology.
Furthermore, its lightweight design, weighing only 105 grams, makes it highly portable and easy to handle. Users can carry it conveniently in their pockets or backpacks without compromising scanning quality.
Support for Mobile Phone and PC Use
The CR-Scan Ferret supports both mobile phone and PC use, adapting to various environments. It is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Android, Windows 10/11 (64-bit), and Mac OS, providing flexibility and convenience to users.
The Creality CR-Scan Ferret is an ideal choice for users seeking an affordable and portable scanning solution. Whether for outdoor scanning, capturing large objects, or simply engaging in leisure activities like designing and creating 3D models, this scanner delivers optimal quality, intricate detail, and vibrant colors. Despite its compact size, it stands out as one of the best 3D scanners available in the market.
Use the coupon code 80FERRET and get $80 off its original price. This makes Creality CR-Scan Ferret the most affordable out of the five listed here, at a discounted price of $269.
2 Revopoint POP 2
Overview
Revopoint POP 2 is a handheld 3D scanner from Revopoint, rich in features and equally capable of capturing 3D models for 3D design and printing. The company comprises experts from world-renowned research institutions focusing on high-precision 3D vision technology innovation. These professionals develop their technology systems from optical chips to precise algorithms which power their inventions.
Due to the ease of use, portability, and functionality of their 3D scanners, the company has become an industry sales leader, shipping to over 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Features
Built with a micro-projecting chip, the Revopoint POP 2 ensures fast 3D point cloud data transfer directly into the connected device. This handheld scanner can deliver the design's likeness with its micro-structured light technology and binocular principle. It scans with a maximum precision of 0.05mm, allowing it to capture more details and provide dimensions to the user.
The Revopoint POP 2 is equipped with an upgraded projector and IR cameras, enabling users to scan in higher resolution. This upgrade provides a scanning fluency of up to 10 FPS. To compensate for the lack of frames, the handheld 3D scanner comes with an embedded 6 Dof Gyroscope to ensure accurate spatial position, improving the smoothness and reducing the stitching errors of scanning.
The Revopoint POP 2 can also generate vivid 3D models for 3D animation through its sensor in sync with its camera via hardware triggering, optimal for a complete 360 view of the scanned object. Priced at $615, this portable scanner comes with bonus materials such as black sheets, markers, and glue tack, which are essential utilities for effective scanning.
3 Matter and Form 3D Scanner V2
Overview
The Matter & Form 3D Scanner V2 is a foldable desktop scanner made for beginners and professionals. It comes with a USB B cable, an AC Power adapter with interchangeable plugs, a calibration card, a user manual, a booklet for the product specs, and a small plastic toy.
This device is the product of Matter and Form Inc., a company established to make affordable 3D scanners equipped with high resolution. With the success of their first desktop scanner in 2014, the inventions of Matter and Form have been used by thousands and different types of users, from hobbyists, engineers, artists, and educators worldwide.
Features
The V2 3D scanner offers a scan accuracy of 0.1mm, made possible through the precision of its eye-safe red lasers. It is powered by MFStudio, which provides visualization of the real-world object.
When the MFStudio is upgraded to +QuickScan, users get the complete geometry of the design as fast as 65 seconds at the price of $749. Upgrading also entails real-time feedback and unrivaled speed, enabling quick scans without compromising the accuracy of the detail present in the 3D model.
This desktop scanner also supports both Mac and Windows operating systems and enables ease of use. After scanning, simply mesh and export the creation to any 3D printer. HD CMOS imaging also assures the objects are captured in the optimal resolution for improved quality. Straightforward in its functions, this foldable desktop 3D scanner ensures high precision yet lacks the adaptability of other portable 3D scanners.
4 Scan Dimension Sol
Overview
The Scan Dimension Sol is the scanning solution of Scan Dimension for capturing small to medium-sized objects in high precision and favorable resolution. The company is a division of Global Scanning, a tech company with over three decades of experience in the image-capturing sector.
As a manufacturer of 3D scanners, Scan Dimension aims to develop cutting-edge solutions for various industry sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and engineering, with the inclusion of hobbyists and 3D enthusiasts.
Features
Priced at $799, the Sol 3D scanner generates digital copies of real-world objects with its easy-to-use software. The program provides integrated calibration, automated scanning, and post-processing, which are all essential for refining the design of the 3D model. This product also comes with a tent, cover, cables, and a sample object for initial testing.
It has the accuracy to develop broken parts of equipment or replicate items. The Sol 3D scanner can easily capture their geometry and texture through a "one-click" scan. Users can calibrate the device in near or far mode, enabling the 3D scanner to capture the product's dimensions in its full scale in great detail.
As easy as it is to assemble and use, the Sol 3D scanner lacks special features found in other products sold at a cheaper price. Yet it remains distinguishable for its straightforward and professional design, equipped with the core functions to qualify as one of the best 3D scanners in the market.
5 Shining Einstar 3D Scanner
Overview
Einstar 3D Scanner makes high-quality 3D data available to anyone with its portable design and smart functions. It comes with a lightweight carrying case containing the product's accessories like position markers, cloth, a carrying strap, a USB cable, a power supply, and a silicon case.
The package is incomplete without the Exstar software, designed to visualize the captured model in high resolution or preserve it for archival purposes.
This handheld 3D scanner is the invention of Shining 3D, a young tech company focused on manufacturing accurate, affordable, high-quality 3D products like the Einstar 3D scanner.
Features
The Einstar 3D scanner can capture and collect cloud data easily with a point distance of up to 0.1mm. The visualization of the design is immediate and accessible through the Exstar software. This product also offers high color fidelity with its built-in RGB color camera, capturing real objects with authenticity and accuracy.
The handheld 3D scanner from Shining 3D is also built with detail-oriented enhancement technology, signaling data adequacy, whether the object is scanned sufficiently or not. It offers a scanning fluency of up to 14 FPS, an optimal amount to deliver a smooth scan assisted with its smart tracking performance, automatic alignment, and intelligent algorithm.
Moreover, this handheld scanner is also suitable for outdoor scanning and even for objects of large dimensions. It has 2 stereo depth cameras, 3 infrared VSCEL projectors, and 1 RGB camera, enabling it to precisely capture models and generate stable outputs regardless of the terrain.
It is easy to set up and use with its portable design and smart tracking system. Even at the price of $959, it is worth considering for purchase due to its high performance as a 3D scanner.
Conclusion
All these 3D scanners qualify as the best in the market this 2023. Each is equipped to capture precise details in varying degrees, from 0.1mm to 0.05mm, with enough precision to highlight real-world objects' textual and dimensional properties.
While others fall short in their adaptability due to their design, they compensate with other components to ensure smooth scanning and overall satisfaction for the user. Despite their differences, anyone can leverage the best 3D scanners of 2023 to improve the quality of their 3D designs significantly.
