New Scanner Turns Physical Objects Into Moldable Digital Files

摘要

Anew 3D scanner creates digital versions of physical objects in minutes. The $1,400 Makerbot Desktop Digitizer 3D's two lasers can scan objects up to 6.5 lb and up to 8 in. in dia and 8 in. tall. "For engineers, industrial designers and architects, this is huge," says Bre Pettis, CEO, Makerbot, Brooklyn. A scan cuts modeling time, he says. A scanned object becomes a stereolithography (STL) file that can be imported into "any digital design software," says Pettis. "It's the friendliest file format for CAD design programs."The STL file gives designers a base from which to work.