About 3D Scanning

Using a 3D scanner you can create a computer 3D model from a physical object. Most consumer scanners work by using a laser to triangulate and object. The object is swiped with a laser beam and by measuring the returning light you can determine de distance of a point, building up an image in memory. By rotating an object you can combine the many images into a 3D model. Depending on the quality of the sensor, you can get a good resolution of the object, but there are caveats; Shiny and reflecting (mirrors) objects are hardly detectable. Things like hair tends to be tricky too. The result may need cleanup in a CAD program, to remove artifacts and optimize the model before printing. After some practice you will be able to make a better scan, but a few retries may still help to get the best result.