The Sense handheld scanner from 3D Systems released last year could originally only be used with PCs. Though the 3D scanner was only US$399, Mac users probably wouldn’t have any use for one. Now 3D Systems has announced new updates to their handheld scanner that, not only to make it Mac-compatible, but make it more capable, overall.
The scanner’s new Geomagic software upgrade gives the device better tracking and stability, as well as a feature for auto-correcting scans to compensate for brightness and color in a single click. Now that it can be used with Apple computers, as well, the Sense should offer an even more intuitive scanning process. The device and its software also have some features, such as compatibility with Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablets and a simple solidification process to prepare scans for 3D printing. It should also be noted that the Sense has an automatic object recognition feature, which separates scan targets from noisy background data, and the ability to merge multiple captures in order to create large 3D scans.
The Sense seems to be a perfect companion for the CubeJet full-color 3D printer to be released this year. Moreover, in addition to 3D Systems’ iSense 3D scanner for the iPad, the Geomagic Capture industrial scanner, and the 3DMe Scanning Booth, the Sense expands 3D Systems attempts at becoming an all-purpose provider of 3D scanning technology.
