Microsoft, while offering some innovations in the 3D scanning market, may be about to hit the ball out of the park with their new patent for scanning and software technology that allows the user to scan an object and watch it in real time as it is tracked and oriented. The user can modify the 3D image to their liking and then 3D print it. This application lends a huge amount of potential for integrating scans into video games, robotics, a wide range of 3D printing projects, as well as what looks like will be a pretty big focus on mapping and geographical uses. Read more about this latest patent in the full story: http://3dprint.com/72992/microsoft-patent-3d-scanning/


Below is a look at the scanning idea behind the patent: