3D Scanning Services
Professional structured-light scanning that captures accurate 3D geometry from objects ranging from small components to full-body performers. We deliver clean, production-ready meshes or surface models — and when the scan feeds into a print job, the entire pipeline stays under one roof.
Equipment & Approach
We use professional structured-light scanning equipment — not handheld consumer devices or photogrammetry. Structured light projects a known pattern onto the object surface and captures the deformation of that pattern with calibrated cameras, producing point-accurate geometry at 0.02–0.05mm resolution depending on the scan volume.
This matters because the output is dimensionally reliable. When a scanned prop goes to our print farm for replication, or a scanned component goes to a CNC machine for reproduction, the geometry is accurate enough to produce parts that fit and function correctly — not just parts that look approximately right.
For projects where the object can't come to us — on-set scanning, large installations, or time-sensitive production work — we bring the equipment to you. Our scanning setup is portable and can be operational on location within the Sydney metro area and beyond with advance notice.
Use Cases & Applications
How our clients use 3D scanning — and what we deliver.
Prop Replication & Digital Archiving
When a production needs multiples of a hero prop, or a fragile original needs to be preserved digitally, scanning is the starting point. We capture the full surface geometry of the original piece at sub-millimetre accuracy, producing a watertight mesh that can go straight to our print farm for replication — or into long-term digital storage as a production asset.
- Capture original props without physical contact or risk of damage
- Produce exact digital replicas for printing duplicates or stunt copies
- Archive production assets as high-resolution 3D files for future seasons or re-use
- Combine scanning with 3D modelling to repair, modify, or scale original designs
Watertight STL/OBJ mesh, print-ready. Optional STEP/IGES for CAD modification.
Performer Scanning for Costume & Prosthetics
Full-body and partial-body scanning of performers gives costume departments and prosthetic artists an exact digital reference to work from — no plaster casting, no extended fitting sessions, and the data is reusable across the entire production. We capture head, torso, limb, or full-body geometry depending on the application, and deliver meshes ready for digital sculpting or direct pattern development.
- Full-body capture in under 10 minutes — minimal time commitment from talent
- Head and face scans for prosthetic appliance fitting and mask creation
- Torso and limb scans for armour, costume, and wearable prop fitting
- Data reusable across multiple departments — costume, prosthetics, VFX
Cleaned mesh in OBJ/STL. Texture maps available for VFX use. Scalable to any output.
Reverse Engineering of Legacy Components
When original drawings don't exist — or never did — scanning recovers the geometry. We scan legacy parts, tooling, and components to produce accurate CAD models that can be used for reproduction, modification, or integration into new designs. This is particularly valuable for discontinued parts, custom fabrication, and equipment where the original manufacturer no longer supports the product.
- Capture complex geometry that would take hours to measure manually
- Produce parametric CAD models (STEP/IGES) from scan data — not just meshes
- Identify wear, deformation, or damage in legacy parts vs. original intent
- Feed scan data directly into manufacturing workflows — CNC, 3D printing, or casting
STEP/IGES CAD model with critical dimensions verified. Mesh available as secondary output.
Quality Inspection & Deviation Analysis
Scanning a manufactured or printed part and comparing it against the original CAD model reveals exactly where and by how much the physical part deviates from the design intent. We produce colour-mapped deviation reports that show dimensional accuracy across the entire surface — not just at probe points. This is faster, more comprehensive, and more visual than traditional CMM inspection for complex geometry.
- Full-surface deviation mapping — not spot checks at individual probe points
- Colour-coded reports showing exactly where parts are in or out of tolerance
- Compare 3D-printed, machined, or moulded parts against original CAD
- Track dimensional drift across production runs or material changes
PDF inspection report with colour-mapped deviations. Raw scan data and alignment files.
Digital Double Creation for VFX
VFX pipelines increasingly require high-resolution digital doubles of physical objects, sets, and performers. We provide scan data in formats ready for VFX integration — clean topology meshes, texture maps, and alignment data that drops into standard DCC applications. For productions using virtual production stages or previs workflows, we can provide scan data calibrated to your pipeline's coordinate system and scale.
- High-resolution geometry suitable for hero CG shots
- Texture capture for photorealistic digital assets
- Output in formats compatible with Maya, Houdini, Blender, and Unreal Engine
- On-set scanning to capture environments, set pieces, and physical effects elements
Retopologised mesh with UV maps and texture data. Format to match your pipeline.
Scan-to-Print Workflow
Many of our scanning projects feed directly into 3D printing — and running both services in-house means we control the entire pipeline. A scanned prop can go from physical object to digital file to printed replica without leaving our facility, and we handle the mesh preparation, scaling, sectioning for large parts, and print optimisation internally. This eliminates the back-and-forth between separate scanning and printing vendors.
- Single-vendor pipeline from scan to finished print
- Mesh repair, hollowing, and sectioning handled in-house
- Material and process selection informed by the scan geometry
- Turnaround advantage — no file transfer delays between vendors
Finished 3D-printed part from scan data. All intermediate files provided.
How It Works
From initial brief to delivered files, a typical scanning project takes 1–3 business days. Rush turnaround is available for production-critical work.
We discuss your project requirements — what needs scanning, what the output will be used for, and any accuracy or format requirements. This determines the scanning approach, whether we come to you or you come to us, and the deliverable specification.
We capture the object using structured-light scanning, taking multiple passes to ensure full coverage with no blind spots. For large or complex objects, we use reference targets to maintain alignment accuracy across the full scan. Performer scans are fast — typically under 10 minutes for a full body.
Raw scan data is aligned, merged, and cleaned to produce a complete, watertight mesh. We remove scanning artefacts, fill any remaining gaps, and optimise the mesh density for your intended use — high-poly for VFX, optimised for printing, or converted to STEP/IGES for CAD workflows.
Finished files are delivered in your specified formats with a brief report covering scan accuracy, any areas of note, and recommendations. If the scan feeds into a P3DA printing project, it moves directly into our production pipeline.
Output Formats
We deliver in the format your workflow needs — not a one-size-fits-all export.
Need a format not listed? We can export to most standard 3D formats. Let us know your pipeline requirements when booking.
Can't bring the object to us? We bring the scanner to you — studios, workshops, warehouses, and on-set locations across Sydney and beyond.
Explore Other Services
3D Printing
FDM and resin printing for props, prototypes, and production parts — from one-off hero pieces to repeat production runs.
Learn morePost-Processing
In-house finishing services that take prints from the build plate to production-ready.
Learn more3D Print Labs
Printer sales, turnkey lab builds, operational management, overflow capacity, and operator training.
Learn moreNeed something scanned?
Tell us what you need captured and we'll come back with a scanning approach, timeline, and quote — usually within 24 hours.
Not sure if scanning is the right approach? Sometimes manual measurement or CAD modelling from reference photos is more practical. We'll tell you honestly which approach suits your project.
For projects that combine scanning and printing, we handle the full pipeline — scan, process, print, finish — under one roof at our Riverstone facility.