Are You Looking to Take 3D Images of Your Products?

E-commerce has a great global impact this year and will impact the global market even more in 2020. This makes it a great business model for large and small businesses alike. Small businesses can expand their market, while large businesses can adapt to their customers and provide them with a convenient way to browse their products.

This makes it important for business owners to present their products in the best way possible. 3D is the rising trend, as it allows the customer to get a better view. Most businesses get a 3D desktop scanner, while others buy a photogrammetry camera.

Both of them get the job done, but which one should you get? Read on to know the strengths and weaknesses of each device:

1. Textures and Resolutions

Textures are important when you’re trying to sell your products. No one wants to buy a product if they don’t have a clear image of it. Low-resolution scans of products also make you look less of a professional business.

3D Desktop Scanners

A 3D scanner gives you no problems with your texture. This is because of how it works, only needing one session to scan the product you want to scan. This gives you a smooth image on the first run through and you only need another scan to make sure you get the smaller details.

The result is a detailed and high-resolution image that you can be confident in posting on your e-commerce website. The images also blend the mesh resolutions well. This makes it look smoother when you’re inspecting it and uploading it to your website.

It also makes it easier for 3D printers to print what you scanned. The blended mesh makes it easier for printers to smooth out the exterior of your product. This gives you access to a group of customers who make use of 3D printers.

Photogrammetry Cameras

A photogrammetry camera also does a great job of capturing the image of a product. The only way it’s different is the method of capturing. Instead of scanning a product in one go, you take pictures of the product from different angles.

The camera then detects distinct features of the images to mold together. Doing this gives you a complete 3D image of the product. However, the result is often a pixelated and rough image.

There are ways for you to smooth it out further, but the processes often take a long time and a lot of hands-on activity.

2. Capture Speed

Capture speed affects different aspects of an image. It determines how fast the image becomes processed as an image. Faster capture speeds mean that the image is clearer.

A faster image capture also makes it less of a hassle to stay still as you process an image. This causes the device to have a smoother and clearer image.

3D Desktop Scanners

Scanners can do the job with no problem. All you need is the ideal set up and it will scan the product without bothering it. The handheld device also makes it easier to move around the subject to scan it.

This makes 3D desktop scanners the better choice for scanning larger products. Covering the surface area of the product is easier with a mobile device.

If the product gets disturbed while you’re scanning, there’s no need to worry about the results. The images 3D desktop scanners provide often have flaws when the subject moves. You can also cover up these flaws with ease.

Photogrammetry Cameras

You must move around more when you’re using these cameras to capture a 3D image of your subject. These cameras have a great capture speed, but being steady makes it harder to get an amazing image.

There’s also the fact that the subject has to remain still for the duration of the shoot. There’s no guarantee that things will be the same when you move to the next angle. This can cause the image to look distorted when you look at it on the software.

You can still achieve a better result than that of the 3D scanner, though. This involves a professional setup that costs a lot of money.

Because of this, the camera setup is a better option for smaller products. You won’t move around as much and you’ll capture all the sides of the subject faster. This is important if you want to reduce the number of flaws in the resulting image.

3. Processing of Results

The results of what these devices capture are the only things that matter. You choose from them which one you’ll post on your website. This makes knowing whether you have a great capture important for a business.

It helps you avoid spending more time capturing images to upload.

3D Desktop Scanners

Desktop scanners are amazing because you can view the results as you scan them. This makes it easier to know what else you can do to make the product look better. It’s also a great way to know whether there’s a spot you’ve missed before ending the scanning session.

Photogrammetry Cameras

When you are photo scanning, it’s possible to add more layers of images to the existing 3D models. This means that you need to take photos of the subject again, though. This is because there’s no way for you to tell if you’ve missed an area during the session.

It makes the 3D model-making process take longer. This is still a better choice if you plan on taking photos of small products, though. It doesn’t take as long to cover up the missing areas and you’ll end up with an amazing 3D model.

4. Capture Accuracy

The capture accuracy of a device determines whether the subject is the focus of the shot. This should be the case even when there are slight movements made by the operator. Great capture devices should recognize the subject even the operator’s hands aren’t steady.

3D Desktop Scanners

Desktop scanners do well in recognizing the subject. There are a lot of things that can cause the image to blur, though. The movements of the operator are a big influence on this.

Despite the smoothing features most scanners have, there are still things that can appear blurry in the resulting image.

Photogrammetry Cameras

This is where photo scanners shine. These cameras often have stability calibrators that make moving a non-issue. This means that shaky hands will still produce amazing shots as their final results.

This often makes up for what photo scanners lack. It’s often the high-quality cameras that have these stabilizers. You can get a stabilizing rig to fit your camera with, though.

5. Light and Motion Capturing Capabilities

Lighting is another important factor in photography. Poor lighting can cause a dark image or one that’s unappealing to the viewers. There’s also the factor of the light source moving around while you’re scanning an object.

Good devices can balance lighting even when there is a sudden change. This only happens for a moment, but when you’re taking a photo of a product, it’s enough to help you get the perfect shot.

3D Desktop Scanners

Being a handheld device can hinder the scanner in capturing light. You’re always moving around when you’re scanning a subject. This means you can cover up the light source for a moment.

These scanners do a good job of melding together light sources from the subject. It can still cause the product to have an uneven shade, though. Correcting the light balance can often be difficult and time-consuming.

Photogrammetry Cameras

With the proper setup, you won’t face a lighting issue while you are photo scanning. Cameras often reflect light on the subject. They also have a flash to compensate for any light imbalance for any reason.

This makes them a better choice for long photo sessions. Cameras also have an innate color correction system. This system is better than that of the desktop scanner.

6. Time and Money Investment

As with any device, you need some time to master using it. You will also want to know whether your investment is worth the money you paid for it.

3D Desktop Scanners

Desktop scanners are easy to use and also easy to master. Their simple design makes using it straightforward. You only need to point the scanning end to the product and wait for the results.

They’re also cheap for the applications you can use them for. This makes them a great investment for any business.

Photogrammetry Cameras

These cameras need some practice for you to get used to operating them. It also takes some time for you to unlock the full potential of these cameras. You can hire a professional instead to cut down on the time investment, but it will cost you more money.

You can get better shots than those compared to the scanners, though. It will take a long time to get there, but you’ll be glad you stuck with these cameras when you do.

These cameras also leave room for upcoming technologies to make them better. This makes them a better long-term investment for your business.

Choose Between a 3D Desktop Scanner or a Photogrammetry Camera Today

3D scanners are better for quicker usage and results. A photogrammetry camera is better if you’re willing to take the time to learn how to use it. Which one will you choose?

Use our guide to help you decide which one is better for you!

But this isn’t the only guide we have. If you found this post useful, check out more content today!