We’ve seen glimpses of what this tool might be like from its humble beginnings as an open source laser line scanner experiment Spinscan created by Thingiverse superstar Tony Buser to the work-in-progress project from the inner sanctum of MakerBot’s secret research lab unveiled at SXSW 2013 (somewhere between Spinscan and the Digitizer released today, though thankfully still with the tbuser‘s iconic garden gnome statue).
So now we are excited to see that the final version of the project has finally launched. We are looking forward to seeing how this desktop 3D scanner works — and how it faces up against the dozen other 3D scanning projects also launching this year! (Matterform and Fuel3D, to name just two.)
From the announcement over at the MakerBot company blog:
Scanning with the MakerBot Digitizer is a fast and easy way for anyone to create 3D models. It’s optimized for MakerBot Replicator® Desktop 3D Printers and MakerBot Thingiverse, so it’s simple to print out and share your 3D models with the world. Here’s what you can expect:
- The MakerBot Digitizer runs on our simple, yet sophisticated software that creates clean, watertight 3D models with just two clicks
- Turn physical objects into 3D digital design files in approximately 12 minutes
- You don’t need any design skills, 3D modeling, or CAD expertise to get started
- The output is a standard 3D model file format (STL) and can be modified and improved in third-party 3D modeling programs, like Autodesk’s free software MeshMixer
- MakerBot Digitizer works seamlessly with MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers to let you make your freshly scanned models
- Easily upload your scans to Thingiverse.com
Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!
Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!
The Adafruit Learning System has dozens of great tools to get you well on your way to creating incredible works of engineering, interactive art, and design with your 3D printer! If you’ve made a cool project that combines 3D printing and electronics, be sure to let us know, and we’ll feature it here!