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3D scanning
(or 3D digitizing) involves creating a digital version
of a physical object. Properties of an object that can
be captured during scanning include: shape, size, color
and texture. Scanning allows a copy of a physical object
to be represented electronically; then the electronic version
to be manipulated in ways the physical version cannot.
An electronic model can be kept on a computer’s hard drive,
e-mailed to a co-worker, animated for use in a simulation,
or used as a template for making physical reproductions.
There are many applications for 3D digitizing. Just a few
are featured in the examples below.
Reverse
engineering – to get data from existing
parts in cases where the specifications
no longer exist or are unavailable.
Rapid
prototyping – to capture data quickly from
a designer’s model during the product development
cycle.
Character
creation from physical sculptures.
Mold
making – for capturing data from a pre-existing
part to prepare a new mold for manufacturing.
Models
for use in games, movies, broadcast, Web
sites and CD-ROMs.
Scientific
visualization.
Artistic
visualization.
Digital
archival – for recording the properties
of objects or artifacts in a state of deterioration,
so that they may be preserved and referred
to later.
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