3D scanners complement 3D printing by allowing users to digitize physical objects for replication or modification. These devices come in various forms, such as handheld scanners and fixed installations, suitable for capturing objects of different sizes and details. 3D scanners are essential in fields like product design, quality assurance, and cultural heritage preservation, transforming physical items into accurate digital models.
Scanners use lasers, light, or x-rays to capture the shape and sometimes the color of objects, providing a complete 3D model that can be manipulated and printed. They have evolved to offer higher resolutions and faster capture speeds, making them an efficient tool for both professional and consumer-level applications in 3D printing workflows.