NextEngine scans 3D on the cheap

We're not experts in the whole 3D scanning, printing, and modeling arena or anything, but it seems to us that a $2,500 USB 3D desktop scanner could come in handy for more than a few -- especially those who might want to make a contribution to our Keepin' it real fake series. For this may we point your attention to SolidWorks, and their NextEngine Desktop 3D Scanner, which features multiple optics arrays and dual three megapixel CMOS sensors and some laser triangulation technology for capturing models of objects, which rotate on a platter out in front.

[Ben @ Feb 16th 2006 1:07AM]

Any data available to see? Is it safe to look into the laser?

[T @ Feb 17th 2006 8:22PM]

This is a robust, nicely packaged, commercial product.

A simple google search for '3d scanner' reveals that this the ideea is at least 8 years old, similar scanners were actually homemade some years ago : http://www.simple3d.com/#homemade

[PCH Author @ Apr 15th 2008 10:45AM]

Hi all,

I contacted NextEngine and asked what would be necessary to transfer my license after if and when I sold the scanner on eBay to get back at least part of the $2500.00 I spent on this scanner.

Their reply? I got a call from them and the support person said that the NEW BUYER would have to pay $250.00 for a 3-year warranty in order to activate the software on their computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF?! So, think about this before you try and sell it. Unlike a laser printer or video card, NextEngine wants to grab $250 every time a used scanner is sold!

I'm heading over to MaximumPC.com and asking the Dog to look into this since I'm pretty sure it is a ripoff. I'll also be making posts elsewhere on the net to make sure everyone is aware that once you get this scanner that you won't be able to get rid of it without forcing the BUYER to cough up money to get it working.

Sorry for the rant, but this really tweaked my day to learn this!

[Veritas @ Mar 13th 2006 7:17PM]

Techspecs read : point density on target surface is 400dpi in macro mode and 150dpi in wide mode.
I wonder how can that be constant ? Doesn't that depend on how far the target surface is ?

[Lt. Massa @ Jan 3rd 2009 3:22PM]

It is a ripoff. You aren't being sold a scanner. You're really paying for a crapload of +1000 dollar software that makes photoshop look like a bargain. You NEED this software to operate the scanner, and of course there is 0 chance of this scanner ever running on any other operating systems (like linux or macOS) because the software is not open source and there aren't enough of these scanners flying around for a reverse engineering attempt. It also takes a lot more work than you'd expect to scan. When the base rotates, it takes new scans of the model at progressive angles. These scans must be tediously meshed together manually by YOU to get a single full model. Despite the price going up on this scanner by $500, the scanner has not changed. They've upgraded the software, and that's exactly what you're paying for here. Don't buy, wait for something better.

[sea @ Jul 6th 2006 4:34PM]

The software the software... Is there any way to get the data out of Solidworks and into another package? How well does solidworks deal with a lot of data? Is this thing really practical for serious animation or engineering use?

[Todd @ Jul 17th 2009 9:06PM]

Lt. Massa: The HD scanner uses a different CMOS setup with twice the resolution of the original model. The new version also uses a color wheel to sample up to 7 different color channels for better color accuracy. Oh, and we spent a year and a half developing new software to support the 4x increase in data throughput, justifying the $500 price increase.

As far as ease of use, I did this scan in an afternoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCwu8TSurdQ&fmt=18

(And no, you don't have to manually "mesh" together scans. The software does it automatically. I'm guessing Lt. Massa works for one of our competitors, or is just an idiot.)

[Todd @ Jul 17th 2009 9:15PM]

Regarding the value of the NextEngine ScanStudio software: It's based on RapidForm's XOR libraries for automatic genetic alignment, volumetric merging, global remeshing (retopologizing), hole-filling, and polishing. These algorithms are widely recognized as the best in the world. You can buy RapidForm's XOR product without the NextEngine scanner, but it will cost you over $20,000 (they come included with the NextEngine Scanner for under $3k).

[Veritas @ Oct 24th 2006 5:54PM]

a few reviews :

http://forums.sme.org/showthread.php?p=855

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-17878.html

[Pete @ Nov 15th 2006 6:22PM]

Here's another review of the scanner:

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.cad.solidworks/browse_thread/thread/d42c60eb87483441

It also has some feedback on the optional SolidWorks tools.

[Pete @ Nov 17th 2006 1:11PM]

Another review, related to shoe scanning:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=165192

[Zex_Suik @ Feb 1st 2006 10:58AM]

Not so bad... finally I can get closer to making cheap car parts at home!

[Fire Hazard @ Feb 1st 2006 11:03AM]

hope i get first comment

very cool thing, I can see this thing in the home in the next 2 years. everybody will have them and there will be tons of anoying 3D spinning objects on the internet.

[aboriginal @ Feb 1st 2006 11:28AM]

It takes Xeroxing your butt to a whole new level. Pretty darn nice for the money.

[Neurofool @ Feb 1st 2006 11:28AM]

This will be great for animation design or any other application where you would like to accurately model real world objects in a digital domain!

[kenny @ Feb 1st 2006 11:30AM]

man now we can scan things right in our home...

>.>

[blinkcowz182 @ Feb 1st 2006 12:49PM]

unzips pants....what dont you want one in 3D?

[Gabe @ Feb 1st 2006 1:49PM]

This is awesome, and for that price I think every household should have one. It's a wonder this wasn't manufatured years ago. Can't wait to Xerox my butt in 3D!

[rawr @ Feb 1st 2006 3:19PM]

Now if only i had known how to make this thing a reality when i originally thought of this concept 15 years ago...

[Stu L Tissimus @ Feb 1st 2006 5:03PM]

*sigh* Cue the Revolution rumors...

[hessam @ Feb 1st 2006 5:07PM]

Think of future games where you can just scan your whole body and put it in a sims/quake like environment! yay!

[kmh @ Feb 1st 2006 7:36PM]

Cool...I can make me a girlfriend, and in 3Dthis time.

[Dissent @ Feb 1st 2006 8:31PM]

Hey retards, you have to put the item in question on a spinning platter in front of the device. Unless you plan on castrating yourself or slicing your ass off, your autoerotic fantasies will have to wait.

[Todd @ Feb 1st 2006 9:24PM]

Actually, use of the automatic positioner is not required. Even if your target is much bigger than the scanner's field of view, you can always do multiple "pans", then stitch them together in software. The software that comes with the scanner provides an easy way to do this. I know because I work for the company that builds it.

P.S. Butt-scans work great and can be done in a single pan in about 90 seconds.

[Pal @ Feb 1st 2006 9:57PM]

Nice to make quick and dirty models, but damn, that is way too many polygons. It wouldn't be bad to have one to make references from, but then again...that's $2500 I could use to buy a 3D input device, like the SpacePilot (with $2000 in change left over).

[Profundis j. @ Feb 2nd 2006 4:58AM]

The hardware looks extremely cool. But I'm betting it's the software that will probably blow everybodys mind. (..Of course I'm no 3D expert..) I simply want to know if scanning my cat is a possibility? Mind you, he's an extremely patient creature, and I suspect it will come in handy for my planned future race of RepliCats.