How extensible will the 3d files be? Can we convert them to DXF and modify them in AutoCAD now, or will that be added in later?<p>Even if not, people will still scan and upload scans of common objects, such as the battery cover to a remote control or controller or wiimote. Someone (Google? Make?) will host the Youtube/Github of 3d image scans, where people will freely upload their scans.<p>And there are all kinds of other prototyping situations where this could be used -- make a model out of clay or balsa or your favorite malleable material, scan it, then print it from the 3d printer.<p>Which leads to fast physical prototyping -- 3d-print a model, modify it with hand or power tools (box knife, file, dremel), scan, modify the shape file in AutoCAD, 3d-print, modify by hand, scan, modify in AutoCAD, etc.
I interviewed at this company almost 10 years ago who made this:<p><a href="http://www.nextengine.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nextengine.com/</a><p>seems simliar and I'd imagine a 10 year lead on R&D is a big moat.
I hope it's more than a simple line scanner given the price estimates. 'Structured Light' perhaps?<p>I've been using a LCD projector + CCD webcam + Davids Laser Scanner [1] for sometime now to scan large objects (and a laser line scanner for smaller objects). I imagine one could build a consumer friendly setup with an arrary of 5W LEDs, a small LCD/e-ink display, and a bit of magic for fairly cheap.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.david-laserscanner.com/wiki/david3_user_manual/structured_light" rel="nofollow">http://www.david-laserscanner.com/wiki/david3_user_manual/st...</a>
The bigger news in this article is that they're trying to 3D-print chocolate! Everything in my apartment looks delicious now, especially those PCI cards.