3D Systems Sense
3D Systems has launched the first 3D scanner designed specifically for the consumer market and optimised for 3D printing.
The Sense is, according to the industry giant, the only 3D scanner to deliver accurate instant physical photography, allowing users to instantly capture their scanable moments.
Priced for the US market at $399 (£248.23, €297.32) the device is available at Cubify.com and will be available on Staples.com and in hundreds of Staples retail stores around the country from November 18th 2013.
The gadget was launched today (November 8th) live on stage at Engadget Expand, with CEO of 3D Systems Avi Reichental presenting the Sense to the world.
The gadget has a flexible scan size and can capture everything from small handheld items to people, while it processes data in seconds for a file that can immediately be sent for 3D printing. Sense comes with an intuitive user interface with easy and automated zoom, track, focus, crop, enhance and share tools. Files for 3D printing can be sent to the Cube and CubeX 3D printers or directly uploaded to Cubify.com for cloud printing in a range of materials, including Ceramix, Aluminix and Clear.
Vice-President and General Manager of Consumer Products and 3D Systems Rajeev Kulkarni said: "The Sense is the first ever 3D content camera for everyone, making it possible to capture people, objects and places on the go.
"I anticipate that the Sense's intuitive nature, portability, range, unmatched quality and powerful user interface and user experience will spur a new social movement around 3D sharable and printable physical photography."
Sense is powered by 3D Systems' proprietary Geomagic software, making the Sense unique in terms of quality, scan speed and ease of editing for consumers. Sense is the only consumer 3D scanner in its category that can deliver professional performance at an affordable consumer price and guarantee what 3D Systems' describes "an awesome user experience".
The technology is compatible with the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet and users can merge scans in Cubify Sculpt, tailored-for-3D editing software that can handle mash-ups, STLs and organic modelling with ease. Full integration between the Sense and Cubify Sculpt gives users the creative freedom to import their scans and combine them with other designs.
The Sense's scan range reaches to as wide and tall as three metres and its can automatically recognise objects and extract precise targets even with busy backgrounds.
3D printing fans in New York City on November 9th and 10th 2013 can see the Sense for themselves at the Javits Center, where 3D Systems will be scanning and projecting items in real time over the course of the weekend.
