An affordable point-and-shoot 3D scanner

Combines high-resolution 3D modeling and accurate color capture for 3D printing
August 9, 2013
fuel3d

(Credit: Fuel3D)

Fuel3D Inc. has announced a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Fuel3D scanner,  an affordable handheld 3D scanner that delivers high resolution shape and color capture for a range of 3D modeling applications, such as 3D printing, 3D art, and 3D game development.

Pledgers will be able to access the first production units for less than $1,000. Today, a buyer could expect to pay over $15,000 for a handheld scanner that provides similar quality results, according to Fuel3D Inc. CEO Stuart Mead.

Mead says Fuel3D is the world’s first 3D scanner to combine pre-calibrated stereo cameras with photometric imaging to capture and process a 3D model in seconds. The product is also well-suited for on-screen 3D applications, such as game development, animation, and 3D art.

“Right now, a large obstacle to 3D printing adoption is the difficulty in producing the digital 3D models required,” said Roger Chang, CEO, Pirate 3D. “A high quality affordable scanner will really change the 3D printing game and Fuel3D’s 3D scanner looks set to put 3D modeling capability into everyone’s hands.”

The technology behind Fuel3D was originally developed within Oxford University for medical imaging applications.

“Using a typical 3D scanner to capture an image can take a long time and requires the subject to remain very still,” said Sylvain Preumont, founder of iMakr, the world largest 3D Printing store, based in London. “With Fuel3D, you will be able to simply click one button to capture a very high quality 3D model of your subject in just a few seconds.”

Pre-production Fuel3D units will be available in Spring 2014, with full production following soon thereafter.