3D scanners are able to capture moving objects, but the method by which they do so can vary greatly between different types of scanners and the ways in which they function. Their design is focused on capturing static objects with high fidelity, where detail comes into play in terms of texture, geometry, and dimensions. Shooting still objects or people is the only option and these technologies are not that advanced, but with motion capture systems and real-time 3D scanning, they can capture moving objects or people.
Real-time 3D scanners, like structured light scanners and laser-based systems, are able to capture frames at a rate of 30 to 60 FPS. This enables them to generate a series of scans which can then be transformed into a sequence of motion. Simply put, a structured light scanner will project patterns across the object before a camera records distortions captured during movement. A 2022 study conducted by the Motion Capture Technology Institute found that systems which integrate motion capture with 3D scanning shorten animation modeling time by 40% helping to streamline production pipelines for industries such as gaming and film.
In the world of entertainment, we use motion capture with 3D scanning to deliver realistic animations. Studios such as Industrial Light & Magic use these technologies to capture actors’ movements and map them onto digital characters. Gollum from The Lord of the Rings trilogy was famously created in such a way, where the motion data was collected in real-time and then integrated with the detailed elements of the 3D models.
So do 3D scanners that can move, which are used in medicine. One such example is scanners that monitor gait and motion patterns in rehabilitation to determine how patients are improving. In a 2021 case study, researchers at Johns Hopkins University studied how walker systems with mobile 3D scanners vastly improved the accuracy of movement analysis protocols by 25%, which helped formulate better treatment plans.
The prices for motion-capable 3D scanners depend on what features and applications they support. Models for amateurs or small projects start at roughly $1,000 to $5,000. High-end professional-grade scanners, that can do real-time motion capture, can run from $20,000 to over $100,000. Such devices frequently combine with application software to transform the recorded data into meaningful patterns or animations.
Albert Einstein reminds us that “Life is like riding a bicycle. If you want to ac_balance, you’ve got to keep moving.” There are other technologies parallel to this, 3d scanner for example, keeping up with dynamic needs by capturing motion and detailed movement. From animation to medical analysis, these tools offer an accurate and efficient solutions, changing the way industries premise motion and movement.