LET'S TALK ABOUT 3D SCANNING

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, 3D scanning has emerged as a powerful tool across various industries, from manufacturing, quality control, and design to healthcare and entertainment. If you're considering incorporating a 3D scanner into your workflow, the decision to buy is a capital investment that needs to be made carefully with confusing choices, limited budgets, and not the best option. One good option before making a significant investment is to rent a 3D scanner. Growshapes offers a 3D scanner rental program for select EinScan 3D scanner models at an affordable price with flexible rental periods.

Here are 5 reasons why renting a 3D scanner can be highly advantageous before you commit to a purchase.

1. Cost-Effective Trial Run
Purchasing a 3D scanner is a considerable financial commitment, with prices ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on if you want a super high accuracy with precise measurements for your reverse engineering project or you want a high definition model with accurate measurements for historical preservation.  Renting allows you to experience the technology firsthand without the hefty upfront cost and figure. The 3D scan output files are ASC, P3, STL, PLY, OBJ, and 3MF.  With the rental program, you can evaluate which 3D scanner model is the most effective solution with the best scanning experience for you and if it is worth the investment.

2. Access to the Latest Technology
The world of 3D scanning is continuously evolving, with models and technologies being released frequently. Renting a 3D scanner gives you access to the latest advancements without the need to constantly upgrade your equipment and try it at your project site and share the experience with your team members. This ensures you are always working with the most current and efficient technology available.

3. Hands-On Learning Experience
Renting a 3D scanner provides a hands-on learning experience, allowing you to familiarize yourself with its operation, capabilities, and limitations. This practical experience can be invaluable in understanding how the scanner can be integrated into your specific applications and workflows. You can get hands-on experience on the point cloud processing software and the mesh generation workflow and export it to the software of your choice for further processing.  The 3D scan output files are ASC, P3, STL, PLY, OBJ, and 3MF. 

4. Flexibility and Convenience
Different projects may require different types of 3D scanners. By renting, you can select the most suitable scanner for your specific project. This flexibility ensures optimal performance and results for varying scanning needs, from small objects to large objects without having to purchase and then return.  It's a win-win situation for both the buyer and the seller.

5. Evaluate Performance and Compatibility
​Every 3D scanner has unique features and specifications. Renting allows you to test the scanner’s performance in real-world conditions and ensure it is compatible with your existing software and hardware. This trial period helps identify any potential issues or limitations, allowing you to make an informed purchasing decision.

Conclusion

Renting a 3D scanner before purchasing one offers a range of benefits that can help you make a more informed decision and decide if it is a continuing need. It provides a cost-effective way to explore the technology, access the latest trends, gain hands-on experience, and ensure compatibility with your existing systems. Additionally, the flexibility and support that come with renting make it an attractive option. By renting first, you can confidently determine whether investing in a 3D scanner is the right choice for your business or project. Equipment rental options start from a minimum of 1 week.  Our customers who rented liked the ease of renting with quick responses from us, the ease of use of the 3D scanner and the support we provided when they got stuck in the 3D scanning process, and so far only 1 of our customers did not buy the 3D scanner as they didn't couldn't find a long-term use of the rented scanner.

​Click on the button below so our customer service team can get back to you with further details such as price and the best option to meet your specific needs.

At the heart of every EinScan 3D scanner by Shining 3D lies cutting-edge technology designed that has been developed over 20 years to deliver exceptional precision and accuracy. Utilizing advanced structured light, invisible infrared light, or blue laser light sources for the 3D scanning depending on the model, EinScan scanners can capture intricate details in high resolution at sub-millimeter volumetric accuracy. This high accuracy is crucial for industries where exact measurements and detailed geometries are paramount, such as aerospace, automotive design, and medical device manufacturing.

Exceptional Versatility in Different Scan Modes

EinScan scanners offer versatile scanning modes to accommodate a wide range of object sizes and applications capturing the full geometry of objects:

• Handheld Scan Mode: Ideal for scanning objects of various sizes and shapes, the handheld scanners with their ergonomic design allow flexibility and ease of use. They are designed with a wide scanning area with a large field of view that has less limitations than a desktop model. The EinScan H series with its built-in color camera supports full color texture capturing while the EinScan Pro series can capture color texture with the addition of a color pack.
• Fixed Scan Mode with Automatic Turntable (Industrial Pack): Enables precise scanning of smaller objects or those requiring high-detail capture, ensuring stability and optimal scanning conditions at a fast scan speed. The full 3D scanning process is automated enhancing workflow efficiency. The Transcan C captures full color with photorealistic textures.

User-Friendly Workflow
Ease of use is a hallmark of EinScan scanners, making them accessible to both novice users and seasoned professionals alike. Intuitive software interfaces guide users through the scanning process, from setup to post-processing:

• EinScan Software: The included scanning software that is automatically updated with an additional fee includes powerful tools for real-time preview of polygon meshes, mesh editing, and automatic as well as manual alignment, simplifying the creation of accurate 3D surface models. The software algorithm for scanning humans with EinScan H2 includes adjustments for slight movements as well.
• Compatibility: The scan data output supports seamless integration with popular CAD/CAM software packages including Geomagic, Quicksurface, and many more, enabling direct export of scanned data for further design, analysis, or manufacturing.

Applications Across Industries

The versatility of EinScan scanners extends across diverse industries, driving innovation and efficiency in industrial applications to art and design offering you a professional experience:

• Engineering and Manufacturing: Accelerate product development cycles with rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, and quality control inspections.
• Education and Research: Foster creativity and exploration in educational settings with hands-on learning experiences and scientific research applications.
• Healthcare: Enhance patient care with customized medical devices, prosthetics, and anatomical models derived from precise 3D scans.
• Art and Design: Capture artistic creations or archaeological artifacts with meticulous detail, preserving cultural heritage and inspiring creativity.

Future-Proof Investment

Investing in an EinScan 3D scanner is not just about acquiring cutting-edge technology—it's about future-proofing your capabilities and staying ahead in an increasingly competitive market. With continuous advancements in software, the updates come automatically with the purchase of the 3D scanner thus ensuring compatibility with emerging technologies, EinScan scanners ensure that your investment remains valuable and for years to come.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking to streamline manufacturing processes, innovate in design, or explore new frontiers in research and education, an EinScan 3D scanner empowers you to transform concepts into reality with unparalleled precision and efficiency. Our customer service team will help you choose the right model for your specific project. By choosing an EinScan scanner, you're not only investing in state-of-the-art technology but also embracing a tool that enhances creativity, accelerates workflows, and unlocks limitless possibilities in the world of 3D scanning and modeling. Embrace innovation. Choose EinScan with Growshapes. Unlock the power of precision 3D scanning today.

​Growshapes the official U.S. distributor of Shining 3D EinScan 3D scanners. We now carry the eviXscan 3D scanner from Evatronix as well!

​See the innovators on Growshapes’ social media channels to get the latest expert news on innovation in 3D digitization, then share your thoughts and join the conversation about 3D digital innovation with #digitize3D

​In the realm of 3D scanning and modeling, various file export formats serve specific purposes, each type of file with its characteristics and applications. Whether you're involved in digital manufacturing, use 3D scanning to scan a physical part as a reverse engineering method for rapid prototyping, or want to create a digital version of a physical product for your digital animation, choosing the correct file type is crucial for ensuring compatibility and maintaining the integrity of your 3D surface models. In this blog post, we'll explore several common 3D scanner file formats that can be produced after the 3D scanning process. Types of output data format are ASC, P3, STL, PLY, OBJ, and 3MF, providing insights into what they are and how they are typically used.

1. ASC File (ASCII Point Cloud)

Description: ASC files, also known as ASCII Point Cloud files, are plain text files that store 3D point cloud data. Each line in the file represents a point in 3D space, defined by its X, Y, and Z coordinates storing the position information of each point. Optionally, additional data such as color information (RGB values) or intensity may be included for each point.
Purpose: ASC files are often used to store point cloud data captured from 3D scanning devices. They provide straightforward raw scan data for storing large sets of point clouds, which can then be processed for various applications such as reverse engineering, metrology, and digital preservation.

2. P3 File (ASCII Polygon File) File

Description: P3 files are ASCII-based polygon mesh models that describe 3D geometry using vertex, edge, and polygon definitions. Each line in the file typically represents a vertex or polygon face, with additional information such as vertex normals and texture coordinates if applicable.
Purpose: P3 files are commonly used for representing 3D polygonal meshes, making the final polygon file suitable for applications such as computer-aided design (CAD), visualization, and digital content creation (DCC) for animation and gaming.

3. STL File (Stereolithography)

Description: STL files are one of the most widely used surface model file formats for 3D printing and the best option and best for exporting to CAD applications. They represent 3D surfaces as a collection of interconnected triangles (mesh data). STL files can be either ASCII or binary, with binary being more common due to a smaller file size.
Purpose: The STL file format is ideal for 3D printing as it describes the surface geometry of an object using triangular facets. STL format is the most common file type of exported files into CAD software or reverse engineering software to create a solid model and add parametric features for reverse engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing, providing a universal format for exchanging 3D model data.

4. PLY File (Polygon File Format)

Description: PLY files are flexible file formats that support a variety of properties for each vertex, such as color, transparency, and surface normals. They can store both ASCII and binary data, making them versatile for different applications.
Purpose: PLY files are used in 3D scanning, computer graphics, and computational geometry. They are suitable for capturing detailed surface model information and are often used in applications requiring high-resolution representations of 3D objects.

5. OBJ File (Wavefront OBJ)

Description: OBJ files are widely used for storing geometric data, including vertex positions, texture coordinates, vertex normals, and material definitions. They are ASCII-based and support basic geometric shapes as well as complex polygonal meshes.
Purpose: OBJ files are popular in 3D modeling and rendering software, including animation and gaming. They are versatile for exchanging 3D models between different software packages and are supported by most CAD files and 3D graphics programs.

6. 3MF File (3D Manufacturing Format)

Description: 3MF files are a modern file format designed specifically for additive manufacturing (3D printing). They can store a wide range of data including geometry, materials, textures, colors, and metadata in a single file.
Purpose: 3MF files streamline the workflow from design to manufacturing by encapsulating all necessary information within a single file. They support advanced features such as lattice structures and multiple materials, promoting interoperability and efficiency in 3D printing workflows.

Conclusion

Choosing the right 3D scan file format for your new project depends on your specific application and workflow requirements. Whether you're capturing point cloud data from a 3D scanner, preparing models for 3D printing, or creating digital content for animation, understanding the characteristics and purposes of each file type is essential for achieving optimal results. By leveraging the capabilities of ASC, P3, STL, PLY, OBJ, and 3MF files, you can implement best practices while effectively managing and exchanging 3D data files across different platforms and industries, driving innovation and creativity in the world of 3D technology.