Fuel3D scanner raised over $300,000 in September 2013 through a highly successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. With early bird backers scheduled to receive their first products in April 2014, Fuel 3D continues to move forward to final production. Fuel3D unveiled this week the first images of the final design of its revolutionary 3D scanner as the company moves into the next phase of its production roadmap. The new design images come as the company prepares to exhibit at the 3D Printer World Expo in Burbank, California.
Throughout the show, visitors to the company’s stand will be able to see a block model of the new design as well as have a free 3D scan of their own face taken by a prototype Fuel3D scanner. They will then be able to access their file to apply their image to a 3D object, embed into a video game, or experiment with other applications. Attendees will also be able to pre-order the Fuel3D scanner at a 25% discount on its final list price.
On January 31st at 4:00 p.m. in the Hollywood/Burbank Room, Fuel3D and artist, John Mahoney, who has worked as a designer on ten Disney movies, will present a seminar showing how the Fuel3D scanner can help 3D artists and designers to incorporate 3D scanning into their design process. Entitled “From 3D Scan to Print: Not Every Project Needs to Start from Scratch”, the seminar will feature a live demonstration of how a case model can be built around a scan to save time.
“The Fuel3D scanner has the potential to enhance the way that artists create 3D designs,” said John Mahoney, concept artist. “For example, incorporating a real-life object or character into a piece of 3D art provides a great basis for designing fantastical new creations.”
Fuel3D has carefully considered the balancing of the updated design of the scanner and also the trigger button position for maximum stability during capture. The company tested a number of different frame builds before opting for the square design concept, which helps ensure stability.
Fuel3D asked its Kickstarter backers for feedback on several design concepts and respondents to the company’s survey favoured designs that incorporated a viewing window to enable users to align the camera with the subject they are scanning. The tethered computer screen will show a live feed for the actual capture area.
The final design also incorporates a target-finder application that includes on-board flashing LED direction indicators to provide a visual guide for the user during capture. In addition, guide lights situated in each of the flash module windows will ensure that the device is able to easily locate Fuel3D’s optical tracker for effortless capture.
Fuel3D is the world’s first 3D scanner to combine pre-calibrated stereo cameras with photometric imaging to capture and process a 3D model in seconds.
Fuel3D is developed by an expert team of hardware and software engineers and scientists. Originally developed for the medical imaging sector, Fuel3D’s technology is being adapted for the broader 3D market, with the goal of bringing the benefits of point-and-shoot 3D imaging to consumers and professionals alike. Originally developed by Professor Ron Daniel, Lecturer in Engineering Science at Oxford University, Fuel3D is today led by Stuart Mead, CEO, a veteran of several successful global technology ventures.
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