3D Scan Everything To Their Tiniest Detail With This Versatile, All-In-1 Device

Image via Matter and Form

Versatility, precision, and compatibility make THREE, the newest brainchild from 3D scanning software developer Matter and Form. This 3D scanner allows for a stunningly broad range of object sizes to be scanned with incredible accuracy, from the minute details of a coin to the expansive breadth of a car. Thanks to proprietary tech, it doesn’t just see shapes—it sees colors in full, vivid detail, too.

Traditional 3D scanners typically limit users to a narrow range of object sizes, demanding multiple devices for different scales. The one-stop THREE, on the other hand, eradicates this limitation with its advanced light projection and high-resolution cameras, consolidating the need for multiple scanners into one, all-encompassing tool.

Video screenshot via Matter and Form

This makes it well-suited for a multitude of purposes—whether you’re cloning a vintage car part, capturing a statue for your digital gallery, or prepping designs for your 3D printer. The creators note you can use the same equipment to “scan a real car, or a toy car.”

Image via Matter and Form

Video screenshot via Matter and Form

Video screenshot via Matter and Form

Color-tricky objects are no longer a conundrum with THREE’s special ChromaSpec algorithm, which can tell shades apart by leveraging the full color spectrum. As such, users can skip the mess of spray-on solutions traditionally used to capture difficult textures or tones.

“Loonies are metal and usually shiny, but this one had a scuffed, dull patina,” explains Matter and Form. “Regardless, we wanted to use scan spray on it but the spray obscured the surface details! They are that tiny! We wiped off the spray coating and made this beautiful turntable scan.”

And for the tech-savvy, THREE is also a playground for development. The 3D scanner additionally acts as a robust edge computing device supported by open-source projects and a comprehensive API. Those with an experimental side can use it to tailor their own 2D and 3D computer vision projects, utilizing the device as a custom solution for various applications.

Another notable aspect of THREE is its entirely onboard software, which is accessible through any modern web browser—be it Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge—across all operating systems. Pop open your browser on any device, even your iPad or Chromebook, and you’re good to go. The device itself acts as a server, saving your projects internally, which means there’s no mandatory internet connection, providing peace of mind regarding data privacy and security.

This sort of all-in-one technology, usually meant for industrial use and costing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, is now being developed at a prosumer level. You can find out more about the THREE 3D scanner, which has raised over US$200,000 in crowd funds—way past its US$50,000 goal—here.

[via Matter and Form]