3Dskaneering

3Dskaneering is a workflow for creating accurate three-dimensional representations of real-world objects and environments by capturing both geometry and appearance. The process typically integrates multiple sensing modalities and software tools to produce editable digital assets suitable for design, visualization, simulation, and archiving.

Common techniques used in 3Dskaneering include structured-light and laser scanning to capture dense geometry, and photogrammetry to reconstruct textures and fine surface details. Scanners range from handheld devices and depth cameras to tripod-based terrestrial scanners and UAV-mounted systems. Hybrid setups often combine data from several sources to improve coverage and accuracy.

After data capture, the scans are registered and fused into a coherent model. Points are converted to meshes, holes are filled, and textures are mapped to produce visually realistic outputs. Outputs are typically stored as meshes with texture maps in formats such as OBJ, STL, PLY, or GLTF, and may be optimized for real-time use or archival preservation.

Applications of 3Dskaneering span cultural heritage preservation, product design, architecture, film and game production, and industrial inspection. Challenges include alignment errors, reflective or translucent surfaces, occlusions, and the need for calibration between disparate devices. The workflow emphasizes documentation and repeatability to support version control and provenance.

See also: 3D scanning, photogrammetry, LiDAR, structured light, point cloud, mesh processing.