OpenScan

While affordable 3d printers have been available for quite some time. The reverse path from object to file has been significantly harder and more expensive, often out of the reach of makers. Thanks to the work of Thomas Megel (founder) and a number incredibly passionate contributors in the community, they have developed a reliable and affordable photogrammetry solution, called OpenScan. Motivated by the lack of better options, the project developed from a prototype construction into an ecosystem with a rich of choice of hardware variants and software solutions, even to a point where it is economically viable.

What is OpenScan

As of writing this, the OpenScan project can be divided into three categories:

• Hardware-Models:
  • Classic
  • Midi
  • Mini
• Firmware
  • Original firmware
  • Meanwhile
  • Composer (free, third party, closed source)
  • Open Scan 3 (in development)
• Photogrammetry Software
  • Open Scan Cloud (free, first party, closed source with the intention of open sourcing in the future)

TheThere are other FOSS and commercial photogrammetry solutions which can substitute the Open Scan Cloud, such as Meshroom, KIRI Engine, 3D Zephyr (paid), Metashape (paid).

The Open Scan mini v2.2 in combination with the Open Scan cloud offer a good performance out of the box as you can see for your self with the 3D printed and scanned bust of Einstein from the beginning.

Assembly

While there is some good documentation available - as is often the case for passion projects, it can be incomplete and or scattered sometimes. I thought, some might find the basic connection diagram below useful. It’s simplicity really goes to show however how little it takes from the hardware side to achieve quite spectacular results, suitable for figures or as reference for use in CAD.