Using a flatbed scanner as a stereoscopic near-field camera

It is shown that flatbed scanners are inherently high quality 3D scanners. Currently developed first prototypes have many applications in industry and multimedia. Because of their big depth of focus, they can be used not only for scanning printed paper, but also for scanning small objects. The nonparallel optics also make it possible to create stereoscopic images of small objects with flatbed scanners, as first described elsewhere (R. Schubert, 1998). The author describes the method for doing this. He also shows examples of stereoscopic images made in this way so that you can judge for yourself their quality and particular properties. Finally, he describes possible accessories that will let you use flatbed scanners routinely in a lot of areas, including hobbies and professional applications. Combining dedicated 3D imaging and evaluation software as well as 3D output devices results in a high quality, low cost 3D scanner. Currently work is under way to specify, design, and build the first prototypes