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3D scanning tips

How to scan 3D objects for collages, photo projects, eBay auction, scrapbooking projects. Scanning tips and hints for 3D objects
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Content starts here
» 3D scanning ideas
» Tips for obtaining clear, crisp scans
» 3D scanning tips for scrapbooking
» 3D scanning tips for eBay sellers and collectors
» Use your scans in creative photo projects
» Scanner selection tips
Small objects to scan


3D scanning ideas



What do you have that you want to preserve for posterity or share with the rest of the world? With the right scanner or Photosmart All-In-One you can create digital replicas of:

  • Collectibles, including rare magazines, stamps, baseball cards, and postcards

  • Patterns and sketches

  • Pressed flowers or a leaf that just put on its fall colors

  • Jewelry, coins, and beads

  • Fabric, lace, quilts, appliqué, and cross-stitch

  • Children's artwork

  • Halloween candy

  • A favorite team sports jersey

  • Your daughter's christening dress

  • Toy cars or trucks

  • Birthday or holiday decorations (confetti, candles, gift wrap)

  • Shells you collected on the beach

  • Details of favorite family quilts or afghans

Let your imagination run wild! If it's flat (or close to it) and a reasonable size, you can scan it.

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Tips for obtaining clear, crisp 3D scans



Anything from coins to quilts to jewelry can be scanned with a bit of preparation. For clear, consistent results, keep these tips in mind:

  • Make sure the scanner is completely clear of tiny bits of debris or scratches -- these will get picked up by the scanner.

  • If you plan on scanning items that can scratch the scanner bed (seashells or paperclips) or leave a sticky residue (sap from leaves or glue from children's art projects), it's a good idea to protect the glass with a transparency or sheet protector.

  • Most scanner lids will "float" a bit above the scanner bed if you need to scan items that are too bulky for the lid to close normally. This allows light to come in from the edges, causing shadows that may ruin the scan. Fix this by covering the scanner with a cloth. Put your items on the scanner bed, close the lid as best as you can, and then drape the cloth on top of the closed lid to prevent the items on the bed from being exposed to any outside light. You'll still get a bit of a shadow with bulky objects, but that's part of what makes them appear three-dimensional!

  • If you do need to clean the scanner bed, you can use a microfiber eyeglass cleaning cloth. You can also spray a bit of glass cleaner on a lint-free cloth but don't spray the glass directly, since the liquid could seep under the bed.

Tip: HP photo scanners and Photosmart All-In-One printers now come with scanning software that actually removes dust and scratches from scans. It's easy to do! In Preview mode, just click Auto Correct Photos, then check the box that says Perform Dust & Scratch Removal.

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3D scanning tips for scrapbooking



If you create scrapbook pages, you may have often wished you could include some memorabilia from your past or souvenirs from a recent vacation on your layout. Here's where your scanner can really make your scrapbook layouts shine -- you can scan those items and print out the digital images to place on your page, adding a personal touch that just can't be duplicated with store-bought embellishments.

  • Capture unusual textures, shapes, and colors: If you love the look of lumpy and bumpy elements such as paper flowers, chipboard letters, eyelets, or buttons, try scanning them -- you won't believe how three-dimensional they look once you adhere them to your layout!

  • Scan multiple copies of layouts: Once you've created a beautiful scrapbooking layout or album, family and friends will want copies. You can scan your layouts just as you would any 3D item, then print out an identical copy.

  • Make your own backgrounds: You've probably seen paper in the stores with photos of breakfast cereal, lacy fabric, or toy cars. Why not make your own paper, and feature the cereal your kids eat every morning, your mother's wedding dress, or the toy cars your husband collects? You can quickly and easily make your very own digital background paper by scanning meaningful items from everyday life.

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3D Scanning tips for eBay sellers and collectors



Scanners and eBay are a perfect combination -- especially if you sell or collect small, collectible items that potential buyers want to see in extremely close detail. Jewelry, stamps, coins, currency, and baseball cards are all good candidates -- you can even scan the bottom of a vase or bowl (carefully!) to show the maker's mark.
When scanning small items like the coin pictured above, you can achieve a professional, three-dimensional look by turning up the contrast and brightness when you scan. This helps eliminate the background (in this case, a scanner lid).
The possibilities for eBay sellers and collectors scanning go beyond the obvious, though:

  • People selling or collecting vintage or designer clothing and accessories can scan portions of a garment: for example, to show a designer label, delicate embroidery, or beading. If it can fit under the scanner cover, you can scan it!

  • Rare book dealers can show details of a book's cover, title page, and so on, then send the scans to interested purchasers.

  • Sellers of autographed items can enlarge signatures to display every detail.

  • Tiny items, like charms for charm bracelets, can be scanned and enlarged to satisfy a buyer's curiosity about an item.

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Use your 3D scans in creative photo projects



Use your scans as the basis for free, one-of-a-kind photo projects at the HP Activity Center cards, calendars, album pages, frames, iron-ons, labels, stationery, photo recipe cards, and much more! The possibilities of using 3-D scans in invitations, party decorations, and more are only limited by your imagination. You could create:

  • Valentine cards illustrated with scanned candy "I LOVE YOU" hearts

  • Anniversary party invitations featuring scanned ticket stubs and souvenirs of good times past

  • Mother's Day cards and gifts with a scanned, homemade gingerbread cookie on the front

  • A calendar featuring scans of a family's footprints and handprints, favorite articles of clothing, hand-knitted or crocheted items, report cards, children's artwork, and more

  • A music CD label with a scanned message spelled out in alphabet blocks or Scrabble® tiles

Those are just a few possibilities -- take a spin through the Activity Center project categories and you're sure to come up with some great ideas of your own!

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Scanner selection tips



Looking for a great scanner for 3D objects and photos? Keep in mind that you'll need a photo scanner (designed for photos), rather than a document scanner.

  • HP photo scanners offer high resolution, negative and slide scanning ability, and software that allows you to crop and improve your photos as you scan them.

  • If it's time to upgrade your printer, a Photosmart All-In-One printer is a great choice. It scans and prints high-quality photo prints as well as making copies and handling ordinary print jobs on office paper. You get integrated functionality and save lots of space.

  • HP's photo scanner buying guide helps you assess your needs and compare photo scanner features.

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