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I have been reading with interest the various posts about 3D printing and the huge game changer it may become in the modelling world.
There is an associated technology that will have just as much potential impact when harnessed with 3D printing which is 3D scanning. This technology is ever improveing and becoming cheaper all the time (less than $1000 for a bespoke scanner ).
Some companies will be releasing simplified scanners as toys this christmas.
The potential for a complete scan of say a Merlin engine , conversion to an STL file and then a 3D print in whatever scale required is mouth watering.
My own interest is the 3D scan of actual people - who fancies piloting their own 1/32 Spitfire/Mustang/109 and how much would they pay for it ?
There is an ahem... "Arts Project" in some UK public libraries where you can be scanned & printed, about UKP£20.00/USD$30.00, but not to scale, (yet)
On your side of the pond, NCSU (wherever THAT is ) offers "full service" inc. scanning, so it's isn't too far off, & here is a "How-To" for info on how someone had a go.
As an aside I've been talking to one of my lecturers this morning, who told me about the PeachyPrinter, a 3D printer for USD$100.00, Bring it on! .
We also have one of those super-duper pro-Laser-scanners, Several 10's of $1000's
East Mids Model Club 32nd Annual Show 2nd April 2023
http://www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk/
Don't feed the CM!
I have worked on designs for 3D scanners/profilers. I am skeptical about the quality of the files. I suspect the resolution of cheaper ones will be inadequate for good modeling work. It is a lot easier to lay down, with a 3D printer, or mill, with a CNC machine, details within a mil or two, with cheap stepper motors, than it is to determine dimensions with that sort of resolution with a non-contact measurement device. Speed of light is about a foot per nano second. You need really, really high speed response and processing to measure to a pico second or so. I think those scanners are fine for faces, but not for accurate modeling.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
Jon_a_its <SNIP> On your side of the pond, NCSU (wherever THAT is ) offers "full service" inc. scanning, so it's isn't too far off, & here is a "How-To" for info on how someone had a go. <SNIP>
<SNIP>
NCSU!! The guys who brought you Mosaic, one of the first web browsers!! Sweet!
G. Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
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) offers "full service" inc. scanning, so it's isn't too far off, & here is a "How-To" for info on how someone had a go.