Initial Publication Date: February 23, 2015

3D Scanning: Digitizing an Object in Three Dimensions

by Dr. Franek Hasiuk, GeoFabLab, Iowa State University,franek@iastate.edu

3D Scanners are also called Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM's) and are often sold by companies specializing in engineering metrology (the measurement of parts).

Good discussion from Reddit

Sense3D vs Kinect

Great comparison from Exact Metrology

3D Scanning Hardware

Kinect and Xtion Software

Photogrammetry (Assembling 3D models from photos)

LIDAR--LIght Distancing And Ranging (1-2 cm beam diameter)

Penetrative or Volumetric Scanning (CT, NMR/MRI, Synchrotron)