Comments on: Cool handheld 3D scanner http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 06:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jeremy Herrman http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557993 Jeremy Herrman Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557993 The cheap 3D scanner you talk about already exists: the Xbox Kinect. Unfortunately even with this amazingly cheap depth camera, the software needed to do the reconstruction relies on algorithms that crawl on most GPUs. The RaspberryPi just won't cut it unfortunately, even with their nice GPU (for the price). Check out ReconstructMe ( http://reconstructme.net ) as an example of the software you've envisioned. I can run the software in real time on my new MacBook with a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, but it's practically unusable on a MacBook from a year or two ago. The cheap 3D scanner you talk about already exists: the Xbox Kinect. Unfortunately even with this amazingly cheap depth camera, the software needed to do the reconstruction relies on algorithms that crawl on most GPUs. The RaspberryPi just won’t cut it unfortunately, even with their nice GPU (for the price).

Check out ReconstructMe ( http://reconstructme.net ) as an example of the software you’ve envisioned. I can run the software in real time on my new MacBook with a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, but it’s practically unusable on a MacBook from a year or two ago.

]]> By: Dan Hibiki http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557848 Dan Hibiki Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557848 The moment that's even remotely viable your 3d printers will become an illegal commodity. The moment that’s even remotely viable your 3d printers will become an illegal commodity.

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557826 Michael Crumpton Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557826 Why will they bother making knockoffs? Certainly not to sell to us. We will be printing our own within a decade, the days of cheap transport are coming to a close and the tools for anybody to make nearly anything (including 3d printers and scanners) is coming like a freight train. Why will they bother making knockoffs? Certainly not to sell to us. We will be printing our own within a decade, the days of cheap transport are coming to a close and the tools for anybody to make nearly anything (including 3d printers and scanners) is coming like a freight train.

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557823 Michael Crumpton Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557823 I am pretty sure there will be a kickstarter project with a decent tool in less than 6 months. I am pretty sure there will be a kickstarter project with a decent tool in less than 6 months.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557710 Guest Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557710 Price aside, do you actually have a policy not to sell to individuals? Price aside, do you actually have a policy not to sell to individuals?

]]> By: Kaleberg http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557638 Kaleberg Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557638  That was the first question I thought of when I saw it: What price range is it in? It's still a bit steep, but the price is going to come down. My guess it will be in the $3-$5K range in maybe 3 years, and drop quickly into "affordable" a few years after that.  That was the first question I thought of when I saw it: What price range is it in? It’s still a bit steep, but the price is going to come down. My guess it will be in the $3-$5K range in maybe 3 years, and drop quickly into “affordable” a few years after that.

]]> By: Florian Bösch http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557601 Florian Bösch Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557601 That's not the point. The software for such devices can be arbitrarily complex. But you can copy software for free. It only takes one (or a bunch of) smart guys to write it. It takes about 5 seconds for you to download it. And then it takes about 200$, a trip to home depot and some consumer electronics store and a bit of handywork to put it together. 3D scanners are the proverbial mashup devices. They make use of a few commonly available building blocks (batteries, lasers, imaging sensors, integrated computer boards) which have dropped in price trough the floor. They got a bunch of smart people to write the software for their mashborgdevice and put it in a nice plastic injection molded packaging and sell it for a few thousand dollars. It's the blueprint for all mashborgdevice business. Make something smart from components with neglible cost and resell the result with a 1000% markup. But that business model only works as long as nobody spuriously releases your "smarts sauce" onto github. After that it's fair game to commodization.  That’s not the point. The software for such devices can be arbitrarily complex. But you can copy software for free. It only takes one (or a bunch of) smart guys to write it. It takes about 5 seconds for you to download it. And then it takes about 200$, a trip to home depot and some consumer electronics store and a bit of handywork to put it together.

3D scanners are the proverbial mashup devices. They make use of a few commonly available building blocks (batteries, lasers, imaging sensors, integrated computer boards) which have dropped in price trough the floor. They got a bunch of smart people to write the software for their mashborgdevice and put it in a nice plastic injection molded packaging and sell it for a few thousand dollars. It’s the blueprint for all mashborgdevice business. Make something smart from components with neglible cost and resell the result with a 1000% markup. But that business model only works as long as nobody spuriously releases your “smarts sauce” onto github. After that it’s fair game to commodization. 

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557596 Joseph Francis Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557596  interesting; thanks  interesting; thanks

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557595 Guest Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557595 I love DIY, but I think you're understating the complexity of the task. I've thrown together a laser-based scanner of my own design, and it was quite a piece of work, and still my results were not near those visible in the demo - and I used a fixed reference system, the lack of which (as opposed to e.g. the "David" system) seems to me to be the one particular thing that makes this system special. I love DIY, but I think you’re understating the complexity of the task. I’ve thrown together a laser-based scanner of my own design, and it was quite a piece of work, and still my results were not near those visible in the demo – and I used a fixed reference system, the lack of which (as opposed to e.g. the “David” system) seems to me to be the one particular thing that makes this system special.

]]> By: danielbrowncreaform http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557546 danielbrowncreaform Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557546 I am happy guys that you like our scanner. Unfortunately this tool is not accessible to individuals, we are aiming for the SM businesses for industrial application or the educational institutions. Compared to the other industrial 3D scanners, it is really affordable but it is still the price of a small car... I am happy guys that you like our scanner. Unfortunately this tool is not accessible to individuals, we are aiming for the SM businesses for industrial application or the educational institutions. Compared to the other industrial 3D scanners, it is really affordable but it is still the price of a small car…

]]> By: Damien http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557534 Damien Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557534 This resembles the "meat-scanner" they used back during the making of the first 'Lord of the Rings' film. Can't wait for a low-cost, DIY version for hobbyists and hackers. The RepRap is all well and good as an output device, but an input device like this to rip real-world objects would fit the bill as a RipRap. This resembles the “meat-scanner” they used back during the making of the first ‘Lord of the Rings’ film.

Can’t wait for a low-cost, DIY version for hobbyists and hackers. The RepRap is all well and good as an output device, but an input device like this to rip real-world objects would fit the bill as a RipRap.

]]> By: Dan Hibiki http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557470 Dan Hibiki Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557470 So basically this is what the Chinese will be using to make all their knockoffs. So basically this is what the Chinese will be using to make all their knockoffs.

]]> By: Go!SCAN 3D http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557459 Go!SCAN 3D Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557459 I tested it out with no reference points, it works well! The product manager told me that's what make this scanner better than existing solutions. Also if you scan a large piece, it doesn't "lose it" while scanning I tested it out with no reference points, it works well! The product manager told me that’s what make this scanner better than existing solutions. Also if you scan a large piece, it doesn’t “lose it” while scanning

]]> By: shutz http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557434 shutz Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557434  Thank you for doing this.  I agree this price is not unreasonable. I'm just disappointed that it's not within the reach of individuals (well, individuals who aren't among the 1%, anyway).  Thank you for doing this.  I agree this price is not unreasonable. I’m just disappointed that it’s not within the reach of individuals (well, individuals who aren’t among the 1%, anyway).

]]> By: ramon solorio http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557433 ramon solorio Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557433 I bet we get an iOS version in a year! I bet we get an iOS version in a year!

]]> By: Florian Bösch http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557416 Florian Bösch Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557416 Everybody with a knack for 3d programming, image processing and electronics can throw one of these together using: - RasPi: $50 - one to three decent webcam: $50 to $150 - few LEDs: $5 or A laser pointer: $10 - A bit of soder: $1 - Plywood: $10 - Wires: $1 - Batteries: $10 - Misc materials (motors, mirrors, screws etc.): $30 So around $200 for the complete package minus the work of course. Good luck regulating that. Everybody with a knack for 3d programming, image processing and electronics can throw one of these together using:
- RasPi: $50
- one to three decent webcam: $50 to $150
- few LEDs: $5 or A laser pointer: $10
- A bit of soder: $1
- Plywood: $10
- Wires: $1
- Batteries: $10
- Misc materials (motors, mirrors, screws etc.): $30

So around $200 for the complete package minus the work of course.

Good luck regulating that.

]]> By: Atresica http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557410 Atresica Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557410 It will be impossible to regulate. I've seen 3d scanners made from some lazercut MDF and two webcams. The software was proprietary last time I checked, but I'm sure there are open source equivalents out there. It's already too late. Besides that, mass production of trademarked goods is already easy. Even now all they can do is restrict it from being imported and sold. They could legally oblige software makers to implement some sort of database, but the history with encryption software (first illegal to export, now 99% isn't) shows that people will either work around that or ignore it until the law is no longer upheld. Not to mention that other nationalities won't give a damn about implementing US software restrictions. But what they'll do instead is probably ban or restrict Arduino's or something symbolic like that... It will be impossible to regulate. I’ve seen 3d scanners made from some lazercut MDF and two webcams. The software was proprietary last time I checked, but I’m sure there are open source equivalents out there.

It’s already too late.

Besides that, mass production of trademarked goods is already easy. Even now all they can do is restrict it from being imported and sold.

They could legally oblige software makers to implement some sort of database, but the history with encryption software (first illegal to export, now 99% isn’t) shows that people will either work around that or ignore it until the law is no longer upheld. Not to mention that other nationalities won’t give a damn about implementing US software restrictions.

But what they’ll do instead is probably ban or restrict Arduino’s or something symbolic like that…

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557403 Guest Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557403 but matching 3d structures is very hard. they must use another reference, probably inertial sensors? but matching 3d structures is very hard. they must use another reference, probably inertial sensors?

]]> By: Alex Young http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557385 Alex Young Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557385 Going by the video, it'll work fine as long as what you're scanning has identifiable details in the scanning window. Going by the video, it’ll work fine as long as what you’re scanning has identifiable details in the scanning window.

]]> By: Wolfgang Beer http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557382 Wolfgang Beer Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557382 nice scanner but i recently found a project where they built an autonomous drone doing the scanning without your manual help :) look here: www.smartlab.at/autonomous-flying-drone-creates-a-3d-map-of-a-building/ nice scanner but i recently found a project where they built an autonomous drone doing the scanning without your manual help :) look here: www.smartlab.at/autonomous-flying-drone-creates-a-3d-map-of-a-building/

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557379 Guest Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557379 I wonder how (well) that works without setting up a background pattern or reference points. I wonder how (well) that works without setting up a background pattern or reference points.

]]> By: HubrisSonic http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557376 HubrisSonic Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557376 3d scanner or mobile transporter!  3d scanner or mobile transporter! 

]]> By: d3print http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557364 d3print Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557364 Have you seen this http://www.david-laserscanner.com/ ? Have you seen this http://www.david-laserscanner.com/ ?

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557353 Joseph Francis Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557353 I've been looking at AgiSoft Photoscan http://www.agisoft.ru/products/photoscan/ Autodesk 123D http://www.123dapp.com/ My3DScanner http://www.my3dscanner.com/ PhotoSculpt http://www.photosculpt.net/ Using the kinect / xbox matherix http://www.matherix.com/ reconstruct me http://reconstructme.net/ Artec 3D scanner (expensive hardware) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7SH3zxDfdU http://www.artec3d.com/gallery/interactive-3d/ http://www.artec3d.com/ Trying to find some good solutions in this area I’ve been looking at

AgiSoft Photoscan
http://www.agisoft.ru/products/photoscan/

Autodesk 123D
http://www.123dapp.com/

My3DScanner
http://www.my3dscanner.com/

PhotoSculpt
http://www.photosculpt.net/

Using the kinect / xbox

matherix
http://www.matherix.com/

reconstruct me
http://reconstructme.net/

Artec 3D scanner (expensive hardware)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7SH3zxDfdU

http://www.artec3d.com/gallery/interactive-3d/

http://www.artec3d.com/

Trying to find some good solutions in this area

]]> By: Ryan_T_H http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557328 Ryan_T_H Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557328  Which doesn't sound unreasonable to me. If you are in the kind of industry where that video made you sit up and beg that $25k would likely pay itself off in decent order.  Which doesn’t sound unreasonable to me. If you are in the kind of industry where that video made you sit up and beg that $25k would likely pay itself off in decent order.

]]> By: chrstphrr http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557319 chrstphrr Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557319 If this were the Price is Right, you might stand a chance to win, but the actual retail price is...   $24,990. If this were the Price is Right, you might stand a chance to win, but the actual retail price is…   $24,990.

]]> By: chrstphrr http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557318 chrstphrr Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557318 I couldn't resist finding out, so I filled out one of the email forms on Sunday night, and got a reply back during the day. The Go Scan 3D is still a professional, turnkey tool -- just below $25k. I couldn’t resist finding out, so I filled out one of the email forms on Sunday night, and got a reply back during the day.

The Go Scan 3D is still a professional, turnkey tool — just below $25k.

]]> By: gjpetch http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557311 gjpetch Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557311 I'd highly recommend Agisoft Photoscan + a cheap point and shoot camera as an alternative to dedicated 3dscan hardware. With enough good quality photos agisoft photoscan can produce amazingly high quality models, and it only costs $179. I’d highly recommend Agisoft Photoscan + a cheap point and shoot camera as an alternative to dedicated 3dscan hardware. With enough good quality photos agisoft photoscan can produce amazingly high quality models, and it only costs $179.

]]> By: mtdna http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557310 mtdna Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557310 Given how fastidious GO!Scan is about not revealing their price, I'll guess... $10k? Given how fastidious GO!Scan is about not revealing their price, I’ll guess… $10k?

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/10/15/cool-handheld-3d-scanner.html#comment-1557252 Preston Sturges Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187686#comment-1557252 Word is Anthony Weiner has bought one.  Word is Anthony Weiner has bought one. 

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