On January 7, 2014, 3D Systems unveiled its iSense 3D scanner. This is a new 3DS consumer scanner for iPad. Although this is a scanner made for a mobile device, the 3D printing optimization is seamless and printing through a 3D scanning service is easy.
The iSense is perfect for physical photography, allowing photographers to step into an arena that they have never stepped into before. The scanner can be used to scan anything and a person does not have to stand still or place an object into a box like other 3D scanners require.
In order to successfully use the scanner, all the user has to do is attach the iSense to an iPad. If they wish to walk around and scan environments or objects, they can do so and then have a photorealistic copy of the thing that they scanned. If the user doesn’t have a 3D printer, then all they have to do is send the image to a 3D scanning service that can take the scanned images and convert them into photorealistic copy.
Furthermore, the iSense fully integrates with the Cube family of consumer and prosumer 3D printers. Consumers can utilize cloud printing by uploading options to Cubify.com. This 3D scanning service offers materials that include Aluminix, Ceramix, and Clear. This eliminates the need for a person to invest in a 3D printer if they do not want to or they cannot afford to do so at this time.
It should also be noted that iSense will be fully compatible with any apps that are designed for Occipital’s Structure Sensor.
As for the cost, the iSense has been price marked at just under $500 and will go on sale toward the middle of 2014. It will be offered by hundreds of retail stores around the world.
This new physical-photography device is expected to be very popular among iPad users all over the world. This will also result in a rising popularity of the 3D scanning service and its role in bringing images to life. Users will be able to capture everything from insects to images of loved ones. Once the image is captured, it only takes seconds to process. The software is intuitive, powerful, and it even allows the user to enhance the image and crop it with the easy and automated editing tools.
iSense is powered by the same software as the company’s Sense scanner, which has proven to be very popular.