A 3D scanner functions in VR by scanning precisely and creating digital avatars of the three-dimensional representation of real-world objects, places, and even individuals and placing them in a virtual environment. Using structured light, laser triangulation, or photogrammetry, 3D scanners capture the surface geometry of real-world objects to resolutions as tight as 0.05 mm. Such high-resolution scans render an asset that looks like it belongs in an immersive VR experience.
3D Scanning saves time and is the most trusted summary in gaming that makes virtual reality development hit a new level with the help of an automatic 3D scanner that can help you digitize almost any object, automating the 3D scanning process can be done in minutes, accelerating your asset creation process, and saving more time, up to 70% of the time of manual modeling. Architects use 3D scanners to create models of buildings and interiors, allowing for virtual walkthroughs without ever leaving the office. According to a 2022 report by VR Technology Insights, 40% of VR developers used 3-D scanning to create realistic environments, greatly increasing the level of immersion for users.
3D scanners are also used by gaming studios to make photorealistic props and characters. In VR racing games, vehicles are scanned to a resolution of 0.1 mm to capture every detail all the way down to the aerodynamic curves of the vehicle, and the treads on the tires. Such high accuracy makes players completely get into the feeling and approximately removes the difference between reality and virtual worlds.
3D Scanning in Social VR Platforms Other companies, including Meta, use body scanning to build realistic avatars that are proportionate and an accurate digital representation of size and shape, along with lifelike facial characteristics. A 2023 study found that social VR users more preferred scanned avatars than the ones manually created, resulting in a +30% increase in interaction.
“The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art,” said John Lasseter, a pioneer in animation and technology. This principle is directly true for VR, where 3D scanners create the state between physical reality and virtual reality. Scanners grant the freedom to deviate from traditional artistic norms and explore technical creativity through accurate digital representations of in-world objects, all while keeping the experience seamless and fluid in VR.
The utilization of 3D scanners is also cost-efficient, especially for businesses researching different VR solutions. While the best 3D scanners can cost anywhere from $2,000 up to $10,000, speeding up the creation of assets and increasing authenticity provides a huge return on investment in quality. Enterprises that depend heavily on user engagement and retention — real estate, healthcare, and entertainment, for example — make up a huge percentage of profits from realistic environments and assets.
Full virtual reality is: How a 3d scanner makes it real. Learn More