3D Printing

Creaform's GO!Scan makes large-scale 3D scanning quick and easy

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The Go!SCAN 3D scanner can generate accurate digital models of real world objects simply and quickly
The Go!SCAN 3D scanner can generate accurate digital models of real world objects simply and quickly
The Go!SCAN 3D scanner, which weighs 1.1 kg / 2.2 lbs, can be held comfortably with one hand
Preserving the architectural heritage of treasured buildings is one application of the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
You can create digital versions of ancient artifacts with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
The portable Go!SCAN 3D scanner is a light weight, stand-alone unit
An angel statue generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
A statue of Ganesh generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
An elephant ornament generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
A chess piece generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
A Buddha statue generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
A 3D portrait generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
An artistic bench generated with the Go!SCAN 3D scanner
View gallery - 12 images

The need for true-to-life digital objects is accelerating as visual effects studios outbid themselves into bankruptcy, game studios build increasingly realistic AAA titles, and the art world begins to digitally preserve priceless artifacts for future generations. A 3D scanner can generate digital models of real world objects quickly and easily, and that's where Creaform's Go!SCAN 3D finds its niche.

Creaform – a company based in Québec, Canada with offices in the US, France, Germany, China, Japan, and India – claims that the Go!SCAN 3D scanner is 10 times faster than its competitors. The scanner itself, which looks a bit like a cordless electric drill that you hold in your hand, contains cameras ringed by white LEDs. Anyone, regardless of experience, can use it by pulling the trigger and sweeping it over the surface of an object.

The scanner shoots patterns of light onto an object's surface that are captured with its cameras (creating images that Creaform compares to the coded patterns in QR codes). These images, which can sample an area about half the size of a movie poster, are then parsed by Creaform's software, generating 3D geometry accurate up to 0.1 mm (100 microns).

Priced at US$25,000, the Go!SCAN 3D scanner isn't cheap (individuals may want to check out more affordable desktop scanners like the Photon, Digitizer, or CADScan3D). However, it is within striking distance of many companies that could benefit from the technology.

That said, it would be pretty cool to have one of these things around the house, particularly for those with access to a 3D printer.

Check out a video demonstration below.

Source: Creaform via Dvice

View gallery - 12 images
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6 comments
Ferraro_Robots
Looks a lot like http://www.mantis-vision.com/
Oztechi
The Chinese pirates are going to love this device! It makes copying other people's IP much easier and faster and more accurate. Now all they need is software that turns it into reproducible CAD drawings and/or CNC coordinates or 3D printer models.
Seriously though, this would be great for scanning priceless artifacts, so that if they get damaged, lost, destroyed, or stolen, they can be replicated again. You could also use this to create replica's and display those while the real items are stored safely away. Egypt and Greece need a device like this, as many of their ancient artifacts are being stolen lately.
Coupled with 3D printing, you could halve the time it takes to reproduce things like plaster detailing in an old house that was damaged, by creating a mold quicker.
Oztechi
There could be a business in hiring these out to people that could not afford to purchase one, or simply scanning their object(s) for a fee.
coryatjohn
The NextEngine scanner is a reasonable alternative if you have the time to use it. Unlike the $25k unit which can take 15+ frames per second, the NextEngine scanner takes a frame in about three minutes. The end result is the important thing. The NextEngine scanner produces excellent results with little noise. It costs about $3k, $4k with a software upgrade.
DonGateley
Fantastic! My imagination is running wild with the possibilities this presents. The problem, of course, is the price. While it's fair if one is going to get a lot of use out of it (I can see getting one to provide a bring-it-to-me/come-to-you service), it is certain that the future of equivalent devices is going to be one with rapidly diminishing cost and probably less rapid resolution enhancement. To buy one now at $25,000 when in the near future an equally capable device might well cost $250 and almost certainly $2,500 makes that $25,000 a shaky investment.
christopher
Bad luck if your object is black, or shiny silver - won't work.
@Oztechi - what's with the China bashing? They aren't going to need to scan anyone's IP - they're already manufacturing it for us from the originals anyhow :-)