Affordable Point-and-Shoot 3D Scanner Launches on Kickstarter

GREENVILLE, North Carolina and OXFORD, England, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Fuel3D combines high resolution 3D modeling with accurate color capture

Fuel3D Inc. today announced the start of a crowd funding campaign on Kickstarter that will bring the Fuel3D scanner to the world. Fuel3D is an affordable handheld 3D scanner that delivers high resolution shape and color capture for a range of 3D modeling applications, such as 3D printing, 3D art and 3D game development.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/630884-a )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/630884-b )

In a special offer only available through Kickstarter, pledgers will be able to access the first production units for less than $1,000. Today, a buyer could expect to pay over $15,000 for a handheld scanner that provides similar quality results to Fuel3D.

"The explosion of 3D printing and the continued expansion of the games market means that there is an increasing demand for 3D scanning products that capture high resolution 3D data," said Stuart Mead, CEO, Fuel3D Inc. "With Fuel3D, our goal is to bring high quality 3D scanning to a wider market by making it available at an affordable price-point."

Fuel3D is the world's first 3D scanner to combine pre-calibrated stereo cameras with photometric imaging to capture and process a 3D model in seconds. Fuel3D's ability to capture color in addition to geometric shape means that the product is also particularly well suited to on-screen 3D applications, such as game development, animation and 3D art.

In order to enhance the Fuel3D product offering, the company has teamed up with 3D design software company, Uformia, another Kickstarter success story. For Fuel3D, Kickstarter pledgers will have the opportunity to get their product bundled with Uformia's MeshUp software, the first real volume modeler for meshes, allowing any creator to make sure their models are always ready for 3D printing.

"Fuel3D's scanner promises to change the game in the 3D scanning and modeling space," said Cherie Stamm, CEO, Uformia. "For the first time, professional level handheld scanning is in the price range of the average computer user or 3D modeling and printing enthusiast, at a quality that even surpasses devices costing tens of thousands of dollars. Uformia is very excited to partner with Fuel3D on their Kickstarter campaign, as our upcoming product MeshUp is a perfect tool to use together with Fuel3D's scanner to creative an infinite number of possibilities by scanning and remixing the world around you."

Other Kickstarter alumni from the 3D printing world are also showing a keen interest in the Fuel3D technology, with companies like Formlabs and Pirate 3D following developments closely. The Form 1 3D printer from Formlabs produces high-resolution, high-quality prints that show the full detail of the Fuel3D's scans. Pirate 3D's Buccaneer produces low-cost ABS prints and allows fast and easy printing of Fuel3D scans.

"Right now, a large obstacle to 3D printing adoption is the difficulty in producing the digital 3D models required," said Roger Chang, CEO, Pirate 3D. "A high quality affordable scanner will really change the 3D printing game and Fuel3D's 3D scanner looks set to put 3D modeling capability into everyone's hands."

The technology behind Fuel3D was originally developed within Oxford University and was, at first, developed for medical imaging applications.

"With Fuel3D, we plan to adapt a technology that has already been proven in the medical sector to deliver a new 3D scanning option to professionals and consumers with a passion for 3D creativity," said James Paterson, CTO Fuel3D Inc. "The unique technology that we have developed allows us to offer what is literally a point-and-shoot approach to capturing both 3D data and color, and we are confident that no one else in the world is able to offer this kind of solution at the price that we can achieve."

iMakr.com is an online store selling a wide range of 3D printers and materials, 3D art and 3D scanners and also operates the world's largest 3D Printing store over 2 floors in central London.

"Using a typical 3D scanner to capture an image can take a long time and requires the subject to remain very still," said Sylvain Preumont, founder of iMakr. "With Fuel3D, you will be able to simply click one button to capture a very high quality 3D model of your subject in just a few seconds. Combine this with the incredible price they are selling it for and Fuel3D makes us very excited!"

Pre-production Fuel3D units will be available in Spring 2014, with full production following soon thereafter.

About Fuel3D

Born in Oxford University, Fuel3D is developed by an expert team of hardware and software engineers and scientists. Originally developed for the medical imaging sector, Fuel3D's technology is being adapted for the broader 3D market, with the goal of bringing the benefits of point-and-shoot 3D imaging to consumers and professionals alike. Originally developed by Professor Ron Daniel, Lecturer in Engineering Science at Oxford University, Fuel3D is today led by Stuart Mead, CEO, a veteran of several successful global technology ventures and Dr. James Paterson, CTO, an Oxford University PhD in Engineering Science. For more information, visit http://www.fuel-3D.com

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Note to editors: Photos, videos and samples relating to this story are available on the Fuel3D website: http://www.fuel-3d.com/media-center

Kickstarter site: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/45699157/fuel3d-a-handheld-3d-scanner-for-less-than-1000

For more information, contact:
Danny Sullivan
PERGALI Ltd.
Tel: +44-(0)772-497-4255
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Fuel3D Inc.