A 3D scanner (3 dimensional scanner) is an excellent way to turn a physical object into a 3D digital model. Probably the highest use of a 3D scanner is in the entertainment industry. This is because they can be used to realistically recreate an image from a real object. Other areas where a 3D scanner is used is in the medical industry to make prosthetics, industrial and architectural design, reverse engineering and also to help document important archeological objects. Basically, when you use this technology, it becomes a tremendous help in recreating or fixing almost any object.
3D scanners are similar to a digital camera in that they both have conical views and both take pictures of objects that are unobstructed. The difference between the two is in the finished product or image. A regular camera obviously can only do 2 dimensional images where as a 3D scanner will give a 3 dimensional image. The way 3D scanners work is by creating a set of points around the object which later can be recreated with a process know as reconstruction. Of course it goes without saying that it takes more technical know-how to accomplish this compared to using a regular 2D camera.
There are several different types of 3D scanners. Each type uses a different type of technology to make the digital image of the physical object that is being scanned. One type of scanner has to be in contact physically with the object that is being scanned. The problem with this is that if the object is very fragile it can harm the object. Most of the more modern scanners are able to take the digital image without physical contact with the object. This is done with the help of ambient radiation, infrared light and even x-rays. These types of scanners are called passive and visual 3Dscanners.
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