Posted on March 12th, 2010
The line between reality and the digital world is quickly becoming transparent. One new device, the 3D scanner, has proven that we can now take real objects and put them in a digital format in real time. This type of functionality has already had a profound impact on a variety of different industries.
The first use of 3D models that come as a result of scanning is to use new models in already-large industries: such as game development. 3D models, when created the conventional way, can take weeks or months to perfect. By simply scanning a real object and uploading it, and making minor tweaks, an artist can get the model done in as little as a day.
3D printing goes hand in hand with 3D scanning. If you were to have a 3D model in digital form, special printers could print out an actual model of it in perfect form. The printer is specially designed to create the object with a material such as plastic or derivatives of plastic. For when needing a physical model, whether for art or for business uses, 3D printing has become the staple.
The use of 3D scanning has been increasingly popular in the education sector. 3D scanning can be used by scientists to log a newly found species, fossil, or other artifact. The beauty of the operation is that the artifact can be digitalized and sent to scientists around the world in just an hour. In addition, digital libraries of historic findings will ensure the artifacts will never escape history.
Dentistry is another field that is making use of 3D scanners. In this case, the 3d scanners are used for two reasons: to act as a clearer visual, and also to design custom fitted dental implants. As of current, only the technology savvy dentist offices are making use of this technology. It’s certainly less messy and less time consuming than using plaster to get an image of the mouth like normal methods must.
Architects love 3D modeling, since they can take a real-world model and have a digital version sent to a client in a matter of hours if tweaking is needed. Digital architecture models are also good to have around for reference when maintenance personnel need to fix a particular area of the building. 3D scanning of large models or unusually tall models can take longer, if it’s possible at all.
In Conclusion
3D scanning has stumbled upon an exciting time. We are finally making advances in greatly reducing the time necessary required to make a movie graphic, develop a video game, or even pitch a building design. As 3D scanning technology grows, so too will all the industries that it has directly affected through it’s convenience.
Learn more about 3d scanner and 3d scanning.
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