Shining 3D Einscan Hx: Specs, Price, Release & Reviews

Akin to the increasing affordability that has revolutionized the desktop 3D printer market, 3D scanning technology is undergoing a similar transformation as these devices become easier to use, less expensive, and most importantly, more capable of capturing high-quality 3D images.One of the pioneers responsible for the ongoing innovation in the field of 3D scanning technology is Shining 3D. Founded in 2004, the 3D scanner manufacturer has become a tour de force on the global high-tech market, expanding outward from its roots in China and gaining a hefty presence in both North America and Europe.Following in the footsteps of Shining 3D’s professional-grade 3D scanning product line, which includes the EinScan Pro and EinScan Pro+, the company has just released two new models: the EinScan Pro 2X and EinScan Pro2X Plus. First revealed at formnext 2018 in Frankfurt, Shining 3D is praising its latest batch of products as the next-generation of multifunctional handheld 3D scanners."Based on the feedback received from thousands of users and the valuable input of SHINING 3D’s own R&D team, the EinScan Pro 2X & 2X Plus deliver substantial improvements on scan speed, accuracy and function. Making a dramatic breakthrough in scanning speed and data quality, the EinScan Pro 2X series is aimed to improve the efficiency in generating high-quality 3D models," said Oscar Meza, VP of Global Sales at SHINING 3D.Both the EinScan Pro2X and EinScan Pro 2X Plus come packaged with ExScan Pro, a new software program by Shining 3D that is intended to greatly simplify the 3D scanning process. Furthermore, Shining 3D is also offering a full-fledged production ecosystem that includes Solid Edge SHINING 3D Edition and the manufacturer’s extensive line of 3D printers. All in all, the company is aiming to provide customers with a comprehensive workflow that is comprised of 3D scanning, design and simulation, and 3D printing.In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at the EinScan Pro 2X, the base model of Shining 3D’s newest handheld 3D scanning system. Let’s review the features, specs, and where you can buy this 3D scanner.FeaturesBefore we explore how the Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2X differs from the original Pro model, let’s go over the features that this professional 3D scanning system has to offer.Similar to the other handheld 3D scanners designed by Shining 3D, the EinScan Pro 2X is both lightweight and compact in size, making it portable and extremely versatile. Weighing in at just over 1kg, you can take this 3D scanner just about anywhere, stretching the boundaries of what you can capture far beyond what a stationary system can offer.This system is ideal for scanning small-to-medium sized objects, and it does so at an incredibly high speed without sacrificing quality. The EinScan Pro 2X offers four different 3D scanning modes: Handheld Rapid Scan Mode, Handheld HD Scan, and Fixed Scan Mode (both with or without a turntable). It also supports a range of alignment modes, including feature alignment, markers alignment, turntable coded targets alignment, and manual alignment.With Handheld Rapid Scan Mode, the EinScan Pro 2X is capable of processing up to 1,500,000 points per second (30 fps). While Handheld HD Scan Mode is a bit slower, it does offer an impeccable scanning accuracy of up to 0.05 mm. For both of these handheld modes, the volumetric accuracy can be improved by utilizing markers on the objects you plan to scan.When in Fixed Scan Mode, which is the mode used when the scanner is stationary, the accuracy can reach up to 0.04mm.Another aspect that places the EinScan Pro 2X a notch above other handheld 3D scanners is the fine details that it captures. When using Handheld Rapid Scan and Handheld HD Scan modes, the minimum point distance is up to 0.2mm, leading to the generation of high-resolution 3D data.The EinScan Pro 2X has a modular design and a number of optional packs that can be added to enhance the 3D scanning experience. The Color Pack makes it possible to capture full-color textures alongside the object’s geometry. If you want to use a turntable and tripod to help automate the scanning process, you can do so by adding the Industrial Pack.It’s important to note that while Shining 3D offers an HD Prime Pack for increased scanning speed and better quality, this add-on is only compatible with the Pro 2X Plus mode. All in all, like the EinScan Pro model before it, Shining 3D has engineered the EinScan Pro 2X to be modifiable depending on each user’s needs.Compared to the original EinScan Pro, the 2X model offers better specs across the board, including quicker scanning speeds and improved accuracy.Perhaps even more impressive than the new 3D scanner is the software behind it all. Shining 3D has developed ExScan Pro, 3D scanning software that aims to make the process as simple as taking a video. It offers a brand-new and highly intuitive user interface and workflow.One of the paramount facets found in ExScan Pro is Operation Mode, a function that enables users to increase the speed of the scanning process during operation and set the resolution after that fact. It’s also compatible with a wide array of file formats, capable of outputting STL, OBJ, PLY, ASC, and P3.Outside of the scanning software, Shining 3D has also collaborated with Siemens PLM Software to develop a the Solid Edge SHINING 3D Edition software. This state-of-the-art software is equipped with some incredible design tools, including reverse engineering, generative design, convergent modeling, synchronous modeling, and simulation, fused with a versatile CAD tool all in one single platform.As Shining 3D explains, the purpose of this design software is to complete the company’s extensive ecosystem, which currently entails 3D scanning, design and simulation, and additive manufacturing. The EinScan Pro 2X is an integral part of this ecosystem, making professional 3D scanning much more accessible and easy to use for beginners, while also improving the image quality and overall workflow for advanced users.Tech SpecsDepending on which mode is being used on the Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2X, the capabilities of the 3D scanning system will differ significantly. Here’s a roundup of the technical specifications:TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSModel: Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2XScan Modes: Handheld HD Scan, Handheld Rapid Scan, Fixed Scan with turntable/Fixed Scan without turntable (Industrial Pack Add-on Required)Scanning AccuracyHandheld HD Scan: up to 0.05 mmHandheld Rapid Scan: up to 0.1 mmFixed Scan: 0.04 mm (single shot accuracy)Volumetric Accuracy: 0.3 mm/m (Markers Alignment)Scan SpeedHandheld HD Scan: 20 fps; 100,000 points/sHandheld Rapid Scan: 30 fps; 1,500,000 points/sFixed Scan: Single Scan 4G; CPU: i7 or higher; RAM: 16G or higher; USB 3.0One company that is tackling both the 3D printing and 3D scanning market is the Chinese manufacturer Shining 3D. Its scanning offerings comprises of four options: the handheld Einscan Pro and Einscan Pro+, and the desktop-based EinScan-SP and EinScan-SE — the focus of this review.The EinScan-SE 3D scanner is the "Elite" version of the EinScan’s desktop scanners, costing around $1199. This product is followed by the slightly more high-end "Platinum" version, called the EinScan-SP. Both scanners are capable of scanning 3D objects either with or without color. They also come equipped with easy-to-use EinScan software that acts as a simplified editing program for 3D scans and also exports the scans as mesh files that are compatible with 3D printing, such as STL files.After seeing the scanners firsthand at the opening of Shining 3D’s EMEA offices, we decided to take the EinScan-SE for a test drive and were extremely excited to test out its capabilities on our own. We quickly found that this "Elite" scanner provided exceptional functionality and accessibility, especially for such an affordable price point.SHINING 3D EINSCAN-SETechnical PropertiesThe Scanner head mounted to a tripodThe EinScan-SE has a scan accuracy of up to 0.1 mm, and is able to detect a vast range of colors and textures. Right off the bat, the quality of the scan was very good, and the colors were depicted extremely accurately.Using the automatic scan setting, this scanner is able to capture objects measuring up to 200 mm3. Using the fixed scan feature, you can scan larger objects up to 700 mm³. These fixed scans can be easily aligned and soothed over with the complementary EinScan software. For a steadier scan you can also mount the scanner head to a camera tripod to capture faces or non-moveable objects.A mesh-only fixed scan can be performed in 10 seconds, and, if you want to capture color as well, the process will take around 30 seconds. The performance time of the 360° automatic scan function is fully dependent on the number of steps selected for a full rotation. The step size of a full rotation can be set from 8 to 180. Obviously, the more steps you choose, the longer the scan will take, but the more detail will be captured.This ultimately adds up to about 1.25 min for 8 steps and 11.45 min for 32 steps. We found that it’s best to do many multiple automatic scans with a step size somewhere between 16 and 64. With each automatic scan, we used a different lightning settings and repositioned the object. After these scans are complete, they can be aligned easily with the provided software.It’s also worth mentioning that the scan time will vary depending on if the HDR option is used. This will increase the scan quality by illuminating the object longer and with finer quality light beams.AssemblyThe EinScan-SE package comes with the scanner, a turntable for 360° scans, a calibration board, and a stand to connect the scanner head and turntable. It all fits together nicely into a compact and transportable box. The turntable is easily linked to the scanner head, which plugs directly into a power socket. You can then connect the scanner head with the supplied USB cable to your PC.All in all, the scanner can be set up in two minutes, but you will need to calibrate again to optimize the shining 3d’s performance. The calibration process could take a while but this is fully dependent on the PC you’re using.FunctionalityColor Scan with different color strobesThe EinScan-SE scans an object by projecting sequences of light beams from the middle of the scan head onto the object. This beam is portioned into stripes which vary in size after each scan sequence. Two cameras on each side of the scanner head take pictures of each sequence. The software calculates afterwards the distance between the light beams and projects a point cloud based on the distance between the stripes.The color of the of the object is detected by projecting the three complementary colors onto the object. Depending on the composition of the object’s color only certain wavelengths are getting reflected and detected by the camera. We found that black is a problem for mesh and color scans, as it absorbs the light.Shiny areas like polished metal cannot be scanned either because the light is deflected. Glass or transparent material can also not be scanned as the light just passes trough it or gets deflected.SoftwareWhile the EinScan-SE is certainly impressive in its own right, the software is what really makes this scanner shine.The EinScan software is exceptionally stable and has an easy to use interface, but you will need a good processor to calculate the meshes quickly. It takes around 15 minutes with an Intel i7-4829K and 3.70GHz to finish a mesh with 2.000.000 triangles (medium size object) for export.It also takes up to 30 seconds to switch between the different menus the software offers. We found that using 12 Gb of RAM as ideal when processing larger objects. The interface is intuitive and offers informative explanation boxes to help guide you through the scanning process.Objects can be made watertight within the software, ensuring that any missed holes or gaps will be properly filled. You can also choose between high, medium or low polygon export.One major downside of the software is that it cannot be utilized unless the scanner is plugged in and running. And, without access to the software, you are unable to open or edit previous scanned projects. This can be quite distracting as the scanner is a bit loud and also expels high power light.NOTE: Since the publication of this review, Shining 3D has rowed through to version 2.7 of the Einscan software. In addition to general usability improvements, this latest release offers support for the high-resolution texture Discover Pack add-on for the Einscan-SE.EINSCAN-SE 3D SCANNER REVIEWConclusionAll in all, the EinScan-SE is an amazing high-end scanner that is compatible with all different kinds of objects. However, the biggest issue with the EinScan-SE is the vulnerability to light. Scanning in areas with more than 200 Lux is nearly impossible, primarily due to the scan quality drops to close to no detection of points at all.However, this can be avoided by either placing a large cardboard box over the scanner while scanning or also using the scanner in a room with the blinds completely drawn. The scanner has a difficult time detecting dark or shiny areas (especially when combined), but this is a universal problem found with most 3D scanners.Still, the EinScan-SE is a marvelous machine with a decent price tag. On top of that, the EinScan software is very good in calculating the mesh and aligning scans, making post-processing a breeze. The software also allows you to prepare your scan for 3D printing, making it easy to reproduce an item on your desktop printer. Needless to say, we had a very pleasant experience with the EinScan-SE and would recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality scanner at an affordable price.