So the HP Sprout just turned into the most affordable 3D scanner – the 3D high-quality Capture Stage will sell starting this July for $299.
Hewlett-Packard knows what’s up. The 3D printing trend isn’t a trend at all. It feels more like an industrial revolution – although it isn’t.
HP will start selling the Capture Stage accessory this July for their Sprout PC that will allow it to act as a functional 3D scanner – highly accurate, and reliable.
How does HP’s new accessory work? Well, the circular stand 3D Capture Stage will be located at the base of the HP Sprout PC exactly under its RealSense 3D Camera. HP’s device will capture up to eight separate scans that will be blended into a 3D image – it’s angled at 15 degrees, and it will slowly rotate in order to output the best quality possible.
After you get your desired result, you can shape the 3D images in any way you want. HP Sprout features a touch sensitive Touch Mat surface that allows the user to manipulate objects by turning them around, reshaping them, changing their colour, and even cropping them. Afterwards, you can export the data to a 3D modelling program like Autodesk’s Meshmixer or Microsoft’s 3D Builder.
At $299 it makes it one of the most affordable 3D scanners, but it still feels a little bit expensive for a bunch of plastic with a motor inside. But even so, it can tremendously help engineers and animators that use the HP Sprout – although, it’s mostly aimed at hobbyists and enthusiasts. If you plan on working on a prestigious project you’ll need more than a $299 3D scanner.
HP has stated that objects can’t be larger than 200 millimetres along any side, limiting it vastly. Hewlett-Packard offered Claymation models as the best example for their Capture Stage 3D scanner.
This isn’t the first time HP is meddling with this kind of technology. Recently, they’ve been experimenting with their 23.6-inch Zvr monitors that would allow its users to blend reality by modifying objects right in front of them in thin-air – you just need to use a stylus and wear a pair of 3D glasses.
Killing two birds with one stone, HP is tackling virtual reality and augmented reality and at the same time it tries to offer 3D printing enthusiasts the possibility of acquiring affordable gear. Their ultimate goal is to add 3D printing, and virtual reality support to every device they produce. Quite a hefty goal if you ask me.
Microsoft just announced their partnership with Facebook-owned Oculus Rift, and they too are trying to blend real worlds with the virtual ones into the mainstream computing medium.
Are you going to buy the 3D scanner for your HP Sprout PC?
