3D Laser Scanners? Techniques Overview

A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance (i. e. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital three-dimensional models.3D laser scanning developed during the last half of the 20th century in an attempt to accurately recreate the surfaces of various objects and places. The technology is especially helpful in fields of research and design. The first 3D scanning technology was created in the 1960s. The early scanners used lights, cameras and projectors to perform this task. Many different technologies can be used to build these 3D scanning devices, each technology comes with its own limitations, advantages, and costs. Many limitations in the kind of objects that can be digitized are still present for example, optical technologies encounter many difficulties with shiny, mirroring, or transparent objects. In this paper, techniques used in the 3D laser scanning will be covered.