Option 1 is easiest and only requires you to have a camera of some sort. if you have an iPhone you can get the app which has a HUD that guides you through how to take the photo's for optimal results
http://www.123dapp.com/catch
Option 2 requires a camera + laser..however I have never been able to get satisfactory results from it. however I've seen images from their forum of users getting fine detail such as surface scratches.
http://www.david-3d.com/?section=Downloads
1. Which 3D scanner is being used: 3D scanners cost anywhere from $400 to $300,000. Typically more expensive scanners can measure more accurately. A cheap scanner might get +/-0.02". An expensive scanner will get +/-0.0005".
2. What file format is needed and how much post-processing is necessary: No matter which scanner is used, scan data processing usually takes 2-5 times more time than the scanning itself. The data processing time varies based on what type of file format is needed. From quickest to longest, here is a list of file formats I get requests for: Polygon Model (.stl), Auto-surface Model (iges, step, etc), Hybrid Model (iges, step, etc), Dumb CAD model (iges, step, etc.), Native/parametric CAD model (.sldprt, .prt, etc.)
3. Complexity of part: 3D scanning is line of sight. Regardless of the size of the part being scanned, the time it takes to scan a part is directly correlated to the part's complexity.
4. Size of part.
For more information on 3D scanning service and to download sample 3d scanned files in the file formats I mentioned above, please visit neomek.com
]]>scanned models often need some decent time put in stitch up holes and tidy the mesh. Also, for an engineering style part, it's much better to measure it with vernier calipers and model it rather than 3D scan as none of the surfaces will be perfectly smooth and flat.
]]>