GROUP TEST
Our expert puts three of the most affordable scanners through their paces
We explore the latest software and hardware tools to see if they are worth your time or money
3D scanners have been forging a revolution within the asset creation market in recent years, making the process of generating a 3D model from a reallife object something that anyone can achieve. These types of scanners have found broad market appeal, especially for artists needing to create accurate models and people wanting to 3D print objects they’ve scanned.
Despite the constantly improving technology and all the marketing talk that would make it sound like a monkey could do it, there is still definitely an art to the process of accurately capturing real-life objects using a scanner. The lighting conditions, camera angles and object materials must all be taken into consideration when setting up the object.
There is a huge range of scanners out on the market, with a variety of different specs and price points. The choice can often be overwhelming, especially considering the cost of these scanners can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands. In this group review we’ll look at some of the more affordable handheld scanners available today. We put them through their paces to see how they compare with each other.
POP 3
PRICE PRICE £530/$660 | COMPANY Revopoint | WEBSITE shop.revopoint3d.com/products/pop3-3d-scanner
Revopoint’s POP scanner, now at iteration 3, is an incredible piece of kit. It’s been designed and engineered with mediumsized objects in mind; basically anything you can fit on a desk. Revopoint are great at tailoring their scanners to specific scenarios, so if you want to capture smaller objects it has its MINI scanners, and for larger objects check out its RANGE scanners. By targeting its scanners, Revopoint ensures the hardware delivers optimal results rather than trying to be a catch-all solution.
UNBOXING
The way a product feels is important. If it’s clunky and poorly designed it’ll suck all your energy, even if it delivers good results. On the other hand, if it’s a joy to use then it’ll infinitely enhance creativity, productivity and enjoyability.
My heart sang, therefore, when I opened the box and found a remarkably wellengineered carry case and contents. The case is compact and tough with every item inside having its set place and enough padding to keep the tech organised. Scanners often come with a variety of different attachments and cables, and Revopoint has thought about the best way for users to store and transport their kit.
USING THE SCANNER
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