3D Systems’ popular iSense handheld scanner solution has a new platform: iPhone 6.
Previously, the iSense was only usable on an iPad.
But what is it, exactly? It’s a combination of hardware and software. The hardware is a 3D depth camera, capable of capturing 3D information from a real-life scene. The software accepts the camera sensor inputs and converts them into a printable 3D model.
The iSense was (and is) part of 3D Systems’ growing 3D print ecosystem, where they’re attempting to provide all necessary elements for successful use of their 3D printers. It enables a user to capture, in reasonably good accuracy, a 3D model of an object and thus generate more useful content for 3D Systems’ Cube 3D printer users. You can’t use a 3D printer unless you have something to print! And captured 3D models are of great interest to those doing the scanning, as the subjects scanned are personally selected by the iSense operator.
The iSense works as an attachment on the iPad, and it now works in the same way on an iPhone 6. In fact, the iSense is embedded in a custom 3D printed iPhone 6 case, into which the smartphone is installed prior to scanning.
The iSense announcement also indicates they’ve produced a “major upgrade for the iSense app”, which seems to be related to improvements in scanning speed and quality of captured scans, which is always good news. Existing iSense users are able to upgrade to this new version, too.
The price of iSense, for either platform, is USD$499 and will be available for purchase on July 7th.
We think this move is a very good idea, as most people carry their smartphones everywhere, but far fewer will tote around their iPad. This means that someone with the iSense on their iPhone will be ready to shoot in 3D at any moment.
They say “the best camera is the one you have with you”, and that applies to 3D scanners as well. We may expect to see more 3D content generated by iSense users in the future.
Via 3D Systems
