Best 3D Scanners in 2021: Artec 3D Review.
After reviewing the reviews of the best 3D scanners, we noticed that most of them lack information about the key parameters of the objects that need to be scanned. Also missing are important categories such as object size and application areas of various scanners. In this review, we want to provide all the missing data that will enable you to find the best 3D survey solution.
SCANNER TYPES: five
OBJECT SIZE: Is not limited
PRICE RANGE:
6,700 € - 56,000
If you are looking for a 3D scanner that best suits your project requirements, you are likely to encounter an abundance of conflicting information. The Internet is replete with loud headlines "5‒10‒20 Best 3D Scanners" and a variety of reviews and lists. Many find it difficult to find enough time to go through all these publications, let alone thoroughly analyze all the information.
After examining these lists, we noticed one peculiarity: for the most part, they describe a limited number of very different scanners, selected according to rather nonspecific criteria. But most importantly, such reviews do not mention what exactly you need to scan and for what purpose. How do you know which scanner to choose if there is no way to compare them according to clear parameters? Let's say you need to get a 3D model of a car or an airplane wing, or, for example, a human foot. Which scanner is the best at this task?
To answer this question, we decided to divide our own 3D scanners into several categories depending on the size of the object, and show which tool is suitable for each of them. We hope our review will help you choose the best solution for your specific project.
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Artec Micro
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Ideal for very small objects
MAXIMUM OBJECT SIZE: 90 x 60 x 60 mm
EXAMPLES: engine valves, connectors, small parts, watch movements and elements, electronic components, jewelry and dental products.
If you need to scan a very small, even tiny object, such as small mechanical parts, dental implant components or jewelry, then look at Artec Micro.
Artec Micro is a fully automated desktop 3D scanner. Unlike many other similar solutions, it does not require you to hold the object yourself or walk around it with the scanner in your hands. You just need to place the subject on the dedicated scanning platform and start shooting. Thanks to its dual-axis rotation system, the Micro automatically digitizes objects from all required angles and requires absolutely no effort on your part. The scanner itself chooses the most effective shooting algorithm, which allows you to translate any surface of the appropriate size into 3D.
The Micro can detect 3D data in a 324 cm³ coverage area and scan surfaces with the highest precision (down to 10 microns) and with a resolution of up to 0.029 mm.
Thanks to blue LED illumination and cameras that capture the texture and geometry of the object, the Micro can recognize data in a coverage area of up to 324 cm³ and digitize surfaces with the highest accuracy (down to 10 microns) and with a resolution of up to 0.029 mm. Thus, it is ideal for small objects up to 90 x 60 x 60 mm.
In addition, the Micro stands out from other 3D desktop solutions because its robust software supports real-time digital imaging and error-free processing. It is also very easy to use: a little instruction is enough to get you confidently translating your objects into 3D models of the highest quality.
Price: € 27 900
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Artec Space Spider
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RECOMMENDED OBJECT SIZE: from 2 cm
EXAMPLES: Compressors, small tools, chips, fasteners, keys and coins, small archaeological objects, jaws, body parts (like ears), etc.
If you need to scan a slightly larger object, such as a mechanical part, a printed circuit board, fasteners, screws, bolts, bones, and even a human ear, check out Artec Space Spider. Designed with blue structured illumination technology, this 3D scanner is optimized for digitizing small objects with complex geometries as small as 5mm. As the name suggests, Space Spider was originally created for use on the International Space Station. It is equipped with advanced electronics and performs reliably in a wide variety of conditions and situations.
Why is Space Spider ideal for digitizing small objects? It scans objects with metrological accuracy up to 0.05 mm and with a resolution of 0.1 mm, making it one of the most accurate scanners on the market. Its coverage area is 2,000 cm³, and its working distance is only 0.2‒0.3 m, thanks to which it is able to digitize objects with complex surface geometries.
Space Spider digitizes objects with metrological precision of up to 0.05 mm and with a resolution of 0.1 mm, making it one of the most accurate scanners on the market.
made an ordinary video camera. To digitize a small object, it can be installed on a turntable, which allows you to easily and accurately scan the object from different angles. To shoot larger objects that cannot be placed on such a table, just take the Space Spider in your hands and shoot the surface from all angles. The scanner itself is very lightweight (only 850 grams) and easy to use. Another difference from Micro: it can be used in tandem with other 3D scanners to capture small elements of large objects as accurately as possible.
If you'd like to know more about the specs of this scanner, be sure to check out the most in-depth Space Spider reviews prepared by Nick Lewendag, founder of 3D Scan Expert.
Price: € 19 700
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Artec Eva
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Ideal for medium sized objects
RECOMMENDED OBJECT SIZE: from 30 cm
EXAMPLES: gearboxes, construction equipment, castings, wheels, human body, furniture, statues.
Do you need to scan something more like alloy wheels, a motorcycle exhaust system, or a human body? For these medium-sized objects, especially those starting at 10 cm or more, Artec Eva is ideal. The animated prototype of this scanner is the heroine of the sci-fi cartoon from Pixar studio named Eva (remember the robot's girlfriend WALL-E?). Artec Eva is great for digitizing medium sized objects. Why?
The volume of the Eva scanner's coverage area is 61,000 cm³, which allows it to digitize much larger objects, but at the same time maintain an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm and a high resolution of 1.3 megapixels.
Just like Space Spider and Micro, Artec Eva uses structured illumination technology to collect 3D data. However, unlike these scanners, the Eva's coverage area is 60,000 cm3, which is 30 times that of the Space Spider and almost 200 times that of the Micro. This feature allows you to digitize objects of a much larger size, but still maintain an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm. The AI-powered HD mode makes Eva even more powerful. Now its resolution reaches 0.2 mm, which is 2 times higher than before, which means that scans are cleaner, sharper and more detailed.
Thanks to its handy size and weight, the Eva is ready to go anytime, even in less than ideal environments. It can also digitize black and shiny surfaces that are usually difficult to scan. Unlike the Micro, the Eva is portable, so you just need to pick it up, point it at the subject and start shooting.
Eva is great for both beginners and professional users. This scanner can be used in conjunction with other Artec solutions such as Space Spider or Ray.
Price: € 13 700
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Artec Eva Lite
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If you are looking for an affordable 3D scanner for digitizing medium-sized objects, Artec Eva Lite is the budget version of Artec Eva.
This device has the same accuracy as the Artec Eva, but has slightly fewer functions: Artec Eva Lite only captures the geometry of the object. This is the reason for the popularity of this scanner for high-quality 3D-shooting of medium-sized objects without texture, but with a variety of geometry (for example, the human body belongs to this category).
Unlike other Artec solutions, the Eva Lite scanner collects significantly less data, which means less energy consumption, as well as the ability to use a more budgetary computer. All this makes it an inexpensive scanner in its category, especially suitable for educational institutions, schools, labs at factories and non-profit organizations. And if at some point you need to digitize objects in color, then you can upgrade Eva Lite to Eva.
Price: € 6 700
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Artec Leo
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Ideal for medium to large properties.
RECOMMENDED OBJECT SIZE: from 10 cm
EXAMPLES: car body, industrial equipment, vehicle interiors, propellers, small ships, human body, furniture, room interiors, etc.
If you are looking for a versatile 3D tool for a multitude of tasks, you will definitely appreciate this offer. Want to quickly scan something large and complex, like a racing car, a truck or a room, and get a gorgeous and accurate 3D model in color? Then we are pleased to introduce you to Artec Leo, the world's first fully mobile handheld 3D scanner with built-in automated data processing and an integrated touchscreen display.
Why is Artec Leo so good for 3D capturing large objects? First of all, it is intuitive and very easy to use. Just press the Scan button and walk around the subject just like shooting with your smartphone. Yes, it's really that simple. At the same time, Leo is completely mobile: in the process of digitizing, you do not need to carry a laptop or tablet with you, and also worry about catching a cable and stumbling.
Leo lets you start shooting with a simple push of a button. Then you can simply walk around the object with the scanner in your hands in the same way as when shooting with a smartphone. Yes, it's really that simple.
Let's move on to the technical part: the volume of the Leo's coverage area reaches 160,000 cm3, which is 3 times more than that of Eva. Such a large field of view allows you to scan significantly larger objects with an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm. And thanks to the new AI-powered HD mode, Leo can now create sharper, cleaner scans of objects that were previously difficult or impossible to digitize. At the same time, in HD mode, Leo's resolution reaches 0.2 mm, which is twice as high as before.
Unlike most 3D solutions on the market today, Leo is a fully integrated and mobile scanner. It is equipped with a touchscreen display and a powerful battery, and also connects to a computer wirelessly. This allows you to simply walk around the object from all sides and digitize all its surfaces with high quality. Moreover, all received scans can be immediately viewed in real time and, if desired, take additional frames. Wi-Fi connection allows you to easily transfer and export 3D data either to a laptop or directly to your personal Artec Studio account for further editing and processing.
What can Artec Leo scan? Since this scanner can digitize both large surfaces and small parts, it can be used in a wide variety of projects: to capture mechanical parts, the human body, cars, boats and even entire crime scenes. This device is based on revolutionary vertical-emitting laser technology, which allows you to digitize textures that are difficult to scan (such as black and shiny surfaces), and also allows you to get high quality footage in bright sunlight.
Artec Leo delivers scans with unmatched accuracy. The 3D reconstruction speed is 80 frames per second (for comparison: Eva shoots 16 frames per second, and Space Spider - 7.5), making Artec Leo the fastest professional handheld 3D scanner on the market.
Price: € 26 700
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Artec Ray
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Ideal for large to very large objects.
RECOMMENDED OBJECT SIZE: from 1 meter
EXAMPLES:
aircraft, small and large vehicles, ships, wind turbines, warehouses, production halls, archaeological sites, aircraft hangars, etc.
Finally, if you need to scan something really large, choose Artec Ray - one of the fastest and most accurate long working distance 3D laser solutions. It has recently added to the Artec line of scanners and is designed for 3D imaging of large objects such as buildings, airplanes and large vehicles from a distance of up to 110 meters.
How is Artec Ray different from other laser scanners? Ray has exceptional submillimeter accuracy and class-leading angular accuracy of 25 arcseconds. Ray is able to digitize every smallest detail of even very large objects, and the finished 3D models can then be used for accurate dimensions and quality control. The second advantage of this solution is the purity of the data obtained, which is due to the high resolution of the Ray scanner.
The Ray features exceptional submillimeter accuracy for long distance imaging and best-in-class angular accuracy of 25 arcseconds, making it a unique addition to other laser scanners.
Particularly noteworthy is the field of view of the Ray scanner: 360 degrees horizontally and 280 degrees vertically. This allows you to quickly digitize even very large objects in the highest resolution. The scanner captures up to 208,000 points per second and operates in two modes: in high-precision data collection mode from a distance of 1 to 50 meters and in high sensitivity mode when shooting objects located at a distance of 1 to 110 meters.
The powerful yet lightweight Artec Ray scanner can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is equipped with a standard tripod that allows you to shoot 3D images from optimal angles. And the most convenient thing is that the entire scanning process can be controlled remotely from the Artec Remote mobile application. This means that you do not have to stand next to the device if you work in difficult or even hazardous conditions, such as on the roof of a building or the fuselage of an airplane.
Price: € 56,000