EinScan-S 3D Scanner Wins the Approval of Everyone from Special Effects Professionals to iMakr Reviewers

I remember when the use of computer generated imagery in movies was a relatively new thing. When it was first starting to become a commonly used technology, it was amazing to watch; now, however, those early CGI films look laughably fake compared to the advanced technology being used in film today. The sophistication and realism of today’s computer generated imagery is largely due to the availability of 3D scanning technology. In the hands of a skilled designer, images built from 3D scans are indistinguishable from reality.

Miguel Guerrero of CGClones is one of those skilled designers. An experienced and award-winning veteran in the effects industry, Guerrero has watched the evolution of 3D scanning technology over the course of his career.

“My line of work is in Visual Effects,” Guerrero explains. “I have been in the industry for over 14 years. For some of the projects and feature work, we needed to scan actors for digital doubles.”

When Guerrero started CGClones, he was using a large industrial laser scanner to capture the images of his actors and props. More recently, he graduated to using Shining 3D’s EinScan-S 3D scanner. The small, handheld scanner allows him to scan both people and objects in high resolution, down to the smallest detail, thanks to its interchangeable settings that allow for high-accuracy scanning of both large and small objects.

The EinScan-S, which debuted at the beginning of the year, has already played a large role in major historical preservation projects, such as the Iraqi government’s recent endeavor to document and preserve the relics of ancient Babylon. As Guerrero and CGClones can attest, the scanner also lends itself well to film production, allowing the visual effects team to generate realistic images as broad as landscapes or as small as a tooth. According to Guerrero, the high detail, two scanning modes and user-friendly software attracted him to the EinScan-S, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Notably, while CGClones specializes in digital imagery, their website indicates that they will soon be offering 3D printing services as well. No details are provided, other than a “coming soon” teaser. If the quality of the work presented on their website is any indication, however, their transition from the digital to the tangible should be no problem.

If positive reviews from award-winning visual effects artists aren’t enough, the EinScan-S also recently passed the vigorous iMakr test. iMakr, the retailer of all things 3D, is famous for its high standards, putting every product through rigorous and extensive tests before accepting them into its stock. After about a month and a half of assessment, iMakr accepted the EinScan-S, which will be sold from the retailer’s online store as well as its two brick-and-mortar locations in London and New York. Reviewers praised the high scan quality, as well as the scanner’s latest software. High points, according to one reviewer, include:

• Good alignment algorithm (possible to scan in different orientations even in auto-scan)
• Very good at closing holes and making a watertight model
• Good speed/quality ratio
• Very good quality/price ratio
• Easy to calibrate
• Possible to export the point cloud
• Texture option
• Ability to save projects and individual scans in free scan mode
• Option to re-size before saving in .stl

All in all, it appears that the EinScan-S’ first year of existence has been a good one.  Discuss this story in the Einscan 3D Scanner forum thread on 3DPB.com.