With the proliferation of 3-D scanning technologies, many options are available for obtaining an electronic 3-D file of a scanned object. The quality of results varies widely. Of those that have experienced poor results, some complain about the accuracy of the data. Others have voiced concern over the usability of a completed file, having found that it does not work for their particular application.

In a recent poll, 57 percent of respondents that had used scanning services said they received “successful” results less than 80 percent of the time. A full 21 percent said that success was achieved less than half the time. While this information may be shocking to some, it is no surprise to others. It has become all too common for first-time users of 3-D scanning services to find themselves shopping for a better solution, or worse yet, discouraged from using scanning services again.

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