Structured light scanners are typically mounted on a tripod and generate a striped or plaid pattern from the scanner’s projectors. The light pattern is projected onto the surface of the object to be scanned and observed by the scanner’s camera or cameras. The scanning software is then able to construct 3D point clouds from the camera images using photogrammetry.
When it comes to speed and data quality, structured light scanners are becoming the preferred scanning method. With better cameras, electronics and processors, new structured scanners can capture higher detail than ever before and work under a wider variety of lighting conditions and surface finishes. Structured light scanners are typically used indoors, though outdoor scanning is possible using a tent or canopy to block direct sunlight.
