Jul.31, 2013
Fuel3D Inc. today launched Fuel3D, an affordable handheld 3D scanner that captures extremely high resolution mesh and color information of objects on crowd funding platform Kickstarter.
Born in Oxford University, Fuel3D is claimed to be the world's first 3D scanner to combine pre-calibrated stereo cameras with photometric imaging to capture and process a 3D model in seconds.
Originally developed for the medical imaging sector, Fuel3D's technology is being adapted for the broader 3D market. It delivers high resolution shape and color capture for a range of 3D modeling applications, such as 3D printing, 3D art and 3D game development.
The Fuel3D scanner works in much the same way as a normal digital camera – literally just point and shoot. It can be used by anyone who wants the ability to rapidly create 3D models.
Once a shot has been taken on the Fuel3D scanner the raw image data is converted into true 3D color geometrical data by a software, which is included with the Fuel3D scanner. The 3D color data file can then be viewed from any direction, edited, and used as source material for 3D printing or for on-screen manipulation.
In order to enhance the Fuel3D product offering, the company has teamed up with 3D design software company, Uformia, so that Kickstarter pledgers will have the opportunity to get their product bundled with Uformia's MeshUp software, the first real volume modeler for meshes, allowing any creator to make sure their models are always ready for 3D printing.
"The explosion of 3D printing and the continued expansion of the games market means that there is an increasing demand for 3D scanning products that capture high resolution 3D data," said Stuart Mead, CEO, Fuel3D Inc. "With Fuel3D, our goal is to bring high quality 3D scanning to a wider market by making it available at an affordable price-point."
"The unique technology that we have developed allows us to offer what is literally a point-and-shoot approach to capturing both 3D data and color, and we are confident that no one else in the world is able to offer this kind of solution at the price that we can achieve." said James Paterson, CTO Fuel3D Inc.
In a special offer only available through Kickstarter, pledgers will be able to get an early-bird Fuel3D scanner for $750. Today, a buyer could expect to pay over $15,000 for a handheld scanner that provides similar quality results to Fuel3D, says the company.
Pre-production Fuel3D units will be available in Spring 2014, with full production following soon thereafter.
Posted in 3D Scanning
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Can this unit go to .001 Of so let me know rleard@pacbell.net rsvp
Ben wrote at 7/31/2013 8:50:56 PM:
nice, but....... as soon as the new version of reconstruct me and the new kinect come out begining of next year this will be $850 more expensive with no auto-stitching like what reconstructme already has. I don't know if the resolution will be as nice though until the new kinect actually comes out.