3D Scanning with a Phone or Tablet

A 3D scanner is a piece of equipment that uses visual data of a physical object or location to gather information on its shape and appearance. This visual data can then be converted and utilized to digitally build three-dimensional models. In recent years, 3D printing has become more commonplace, which has only increased the need for practical and easy-to-use scanning capabilities.

Although there are a number of low cost handheld and turntable options already available to purchase (with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars), anyone who wants to try out 3D scanning can now do so by downloading a free app called 123D Catch (available for iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices) from AutoDesk, which uses the camera on your own smart phone or tablet to construct a 3D object from photos you shoot. After installing the app, an informative visual guide shows you how to set up your environment to take the photos under acceptable conditions. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to get capture all the needed angles that the app will allow and processing the images can take awhile, so it may take some time and patience to accurately scan an object. With a number of well-lit and correctly positioned photos, you should be able to produce a fairly accurate 3D model using only your mobile device.

Image from Pixabay.

Stranger Printings - 3D Printing’s Rapid Expansion

According to a recent report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the 3D printing market will continue to expand in the coming years. Although expected, the rapid rate of expansion in the industry has been turning some heads. It is now projected that the 3D printing market will surpass $35.4 billion sometime in the year 2020, which would equal a 24.1 percent compound annual growth rate over the duration of the period forecast. This means the industry may nearly double in the next five years. In addition, the software needed to create the printer files and related services and materials are predicted to grow significantly with the market. This research was conducted in eight global markets from twenty different industries.

Many of us have likely thought about what kinds of objects we could produce with our own 3D printers and how those may be used to enhance learning. With prices decreasing while the market continues increasing, it may not be long before each of us is printing our own practical or strange things.

For additional information, please see my 3D Printer Buying Guide post.

Image generated at Make It Stranger.

3D Printer Buying Guide

Although they have been around in some form since the 1980s, 3D printers - devices that create three-dimensional physical objects from digital design files - have been gaining popularity in recent years. There are now a multitude of 3D printers available to purchase ranging from affordable to expensive. Instructors in higher education are still finding new ways to use the printers to produce prototypes and models. An article on 3ders.org attempts to categorize some of the many printers on the market in its 3D Printer Buyer’s Guide. 

The guide currently covers 23 popular 3D printers and their capabilities in four categories:

1. Category 1: Budget/Entry-Level 3D Printers ($300-$800)
2. Category 2: Enthusiast/Mid-Range 3D Printers ($800-$2,000)
3. Category 3: Enthusiast-to-Prosumer Premium 3D Printers ($2,000+)
4. Category 4: SLA / DLP Resin 3D printers

It also includes considerations when choosing a 3D printer such as:

• Technology used
• Build volume
• Printing materials needed
• Speed
• Resolution
• and more

Take a look through the 3D Printer Buyer's Guide and see which one fits your needs in terms of functionality, materials needed, and cost effectiveness.