Volumental‘s 3D Scan-to-Print web app will be the world’s first browser-based, 3D-printable model creator. The idea is to scan (and later, print) a 3D object as easily as printing a document, using just a depth camera (such as a Kinect*) and computer browser.

The team just launched a Kickstarter. “We need $20,000 in funding to hire a dedicated developer for this project as well as to fund upgrades needed in server and processing hardware. We estimate that the app will take 3 months to develop.”

Volumental was founded in 2012 as a spinoff from a research project called Kinect@Home at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. The team behind the innovative technology combines expertise in 3D reconstruction, computer vision, programming, and business development to allow users easy access to the 3D revolution.

How can I use this?

– 3D Print a chess set with your family’s faces on the pieces

– Kids fighting over a toy? Replicate it!

– Easily replicate your dog, horse, cat, lizard, ferret, hamster, boa constrictor

– Make a dollhouse miniature of your sofa.

– 3D scan and print amazing, hard to find props for your next indie movie.

* You can purchase a depth camera for about $200 from Primesense — a lot cheaper than a commercial 3D scanner, which can cost from $3,000  up to  $400K. (No, the Leap is not supported.)