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Is Your iPhone Good Enough to Be a 3D Scanner?

For creating 3D printer files, your options include smartphone apps or expensive standalone scanners.

Most 3D scanners are handheld devices that scan small to medium-sized objects with a high degree of accuracy. The resulting files are used for 3D modeling or 3D printing and they can produce fantastic results — if you’re patient and willing to learn how to use them. 

These scanners, like the popular Revopoint Pop 2, can cost $700 and have a steep learning curve. Alternatively, if you own an iPhone 12 Pro or higher you can almost recreate what a fancy 3D scanner does. It isn’t quite as accurate, especially for 3D printing, but if you spend some time tweaking, the output can be just about as good.

Read more: Best 3D Printer

Creating 3D prints from files uploaded to communities like Thingiverse or Printables is fine, but once you can scan and recreate real-world objects, there’s no limit to what you can create. For example, you could replicate a collectible figure or scan a broken mechanical part to recreate it.

Using a 3D scanner

Pros:

  • Can capture detail down to 0.1mm
  • Dimensional accuracy is excellent
  • Very little clean-up when you succeed

Cons:

  • Often costs more than a 3D printer
  • Software is often very hard to use
  • Creating a usable model is painfully difficult

3D scanners use reflected light — sometimes in the form of lasers — to map the surface of an object. The scanner uses two cameras to judge depth and create a “point cloud” that can be fused together to make a solid object. That solid model is often incredibly accurate down to the smallest crack or imperfection.

03-3d-scanner 03-3d-scanner

Sarah Tew/CNET

But scanning an object can be difficult. The scanner needs to be the right distance from the object you’re scanning at all times, and the object has to be the right color and reflectivity as well. Often, you will need a 3D scanning spray to coat your model in a white, evaporative coating to make scanning easier. This is not possible with human subjects, but does help with inanimate ones. Or at least it should. 

I’ve spent hours using 3D scanners and struggle every time to produce a model that could be 3D printed. Often a scan will lose connection, then restart in the wrong place, causing severe disruption. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve managed to get several usable models, but the amount of work it took just didn’t seem cost-effective. 

Using your iPhone

Pros:

  • Incredibly fast scanning
  • Models are instantly usable as online resources
  • You likely already own one

Cons:

  • Lower detail and quality
  • Can need a lot of clean-up to make it 3D print-ready
polycam shoe scan polycam shoe scan

James Bricknell/CNET

iPhones have a lot of cool technology that makes them excellent 3D scanners, including good cameras for photogrammetry and lidar technology for larger objects like cars or the inside of your home. 

Photogrammetry is the best way to create a fully realized 3D model if you want that model to only exist digitally. It uses multiple pictures — the more pictures the better — to create a realistic facsimile of an object. The depth mapping is far rougher than a 3D scanner, but the textures and photo imagery make the model look extremely detailed. As you can see, the shoe in the image above looks identical to the real thing when the textures are shown, but the model I 3D-printed from it has lost a lot of its details.

A purple 3D-printed shoe A purple 3D-printed shoe

James Bricknell/CNET

The coolest thing about photogrammetry, especially on an app like Polycam, is that it can be used with any camera you have, including DSLR cameras and even drones. You simply upload as many images as you want to the Polycam app and it will spit out a 3D rendering of the object you took, whether that’s a shoe or the Grand Canyon. It even works with Android phones, though none of those have the lidar technology like the iPhone.

A 3D rendered mailbox using Polycam A 3D rendered mailbox using Polycam

James Bricknell/CNET

Lidar only works if you have an iPhone 12 Pro or later, but it’s excellent for scanning larger objects like mailboxes, pool tables and even cars. It works a lot like an expensive 3D scanner — by bouncing light off an object and measuring the distance the light travels — but it has a much lower resolution. This makes it excellent at scanning large, simple objects, especially if you’re keeping them as digital models.

Both photogrammetry and lidar imagery are extremely easy to use on your iPhone and require very little technical know-how to get right. They both need an app though, and after using several different ones, I found Polycam is the best choice.

Polycam costs $80 a year and offers both lidar and photogrammetry. More than that, it uses those systems in some really fun ways. Not only can you scan objects to create 3D models, but you can scan the walls inside your house and build a 3D floor plan. You can even 3D print that floor plan complete with walls, stairs and window and door openings. 

When scanning an object on Polycam for 3D printing I was able to get good quality, low-resolution scans for organic shapes and much better scans of simple objects. Using Polycam to scan a broken sliding door handle was quick and simple and allowed me to accurately replicate a replacement. In fact, if you’re used to using programs like Blender — a free 3D sculpting tool on the PC and Mac — or Nomad Sculpt on the iPad or iPhone, you can import the Polycam file and spruce it up before printing. 

Should you buy a 3D scanner if you own an iPhone?

I’ve spent a lot of time with several different 3D scanners and they all have the same inherent flaw: They’re just too picky to work for consumers. In a commercial setting, where everything can be controlled and your day is dedicated to getting this machine to work perfectly, then sure, a 3D scanner makes sense. If you’re a hobbyist though, with a life that requires more from you than endless hours of slow scanning, an iPhone is a better option.

Even if you don’t own an iPhone, you can pick up an iPhone 12 Pro — the first with lidar — for around $550, several hundred dollars cheaper than a 3D scanner. And once you’re done 3D scanning shoes, mailboxes, cars and houses, you still have an iPhone that can do a hundred other things too.

Technologies

Where to find some of the highest CD rates heading into September

Annual percentage yields on certificates of deposit are looking attractive as fall begins next month.

August has been a solid month for stocks, but investors hoping to stash some cash in the fall can still be paid well for using certificates of deposit. Savers are keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve as its Sept. 15-16 meeting approaches. Fed funds futures trading suggests a roughly 65% likelihood the central bank will raise its benchmark lending a quarter percentage point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation . He noted that “while this summer’s [inflation] readings were better than expected, they do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved.” Indeed, the July reading of the personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 3.7%, topping the Dow Jones consensus by 0.1 percentage point, and far above the central bank’s 2% inflation target. While higher rates are unwelcome for borrowers, they’re a great development for savers who can capture higher yields on products such as certificates of deposit. Several banks, for example, continue to aggressively price their CDs and offer attractive yields as they compete for deposits. Latest increase Just last week, Sallie Mae lifted the annual percentage yield on its one-year CD by five basis points to 4.2%. The increase lifts Sallie Mae’s one-year CD rate some 25 basis points above the peer median APY of 3.95%, according to Vincent Caintic, analyst at BTIG. One basis point equals 1/100th of a percent, or 0.01%. Other financial services firms also continue to offer compelling rates on their one-year CDs. Popular Direct pays an APY of 4.25% on its 12-month CD, as of Monday afternoon, while CIBC touts a 4.15% yield. Savers can also find attractive rates if they’re willing to look outside the 12-month term. Synchrony Financial offers a 4.3% APY for a 16-month CD, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs has a similar rate on its 18-month instrument. Happen Bank has an 11-month CD with a 4.2% APY. If you’re thinking of getting into a CD, be sure to weigh your time horizon and liquidity needs. “Breaking” a CD before maturity carries a penalty of forfeited interest. Savers should also be aware of when their CD is about to expire, as their banks may automatically put them into a renewal CD at a lower rate.

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Technologies

Where to find some of the highest CD rates heading into September

With the Federal Reserve’s September meeting approaching, several banks continue offering competitive CD yields as inflation remains stubborn. Savers can still find attractive rates on certificates of deposit, though they should be mindful of timing and liquidity needs.

August has been a solid month for stocks, but investors hoping to stash some cash in the fall can still be paid well for using certificates of deposit. Savers are keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve as its Sept. 15-16 meeting approaches. Fed funds futures trading suggests a roughly 65% likelihood the central bank will raise its benchmark lending a quarter percentage point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation . He noted that “while this summer’s [inflation] readings were better than expected, they do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved.” Indeed, the July reading of the personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 3.7%, topping the Dow Jones consensus by 0.1 percentage point, and far above the central bank’s 2% inflation target. While higher rates are unwelcome for borrowers, they’re a great development for savers who can capture higher yields on products such as certificates of deposit. Several banks, for example, continue to aggressively price their CDs and offer attractive yields as they compete for deposits. Latest increase Just last week, Sallie Mae lifted the annual percentage yield on its one-year CD by five basis points to 4.2%. The increase lifts Sallie Mae’s one-year CD rate some 25 basis points above the peer median APY of 3.95%, according to Vincent Caintic, analyst at BTIG. One basis point equals 1/100th of a percent, or 0.01%. Other financial services firms also continue to offer compelling rates on their one-year CDs. Popular Direct pays an APY of 4.25% on its 12-month CD, as of Monday afternoon, while CIBC touts a 4.15% yield. Savers can also find attractive rates if they’re willing to look outside the 12-month term. Synchrony Financial offers a 4.3% APY for a 16-month CD, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs has a similar rate on its 18-month instrument. Happen Bank has an 11-month CD with a 4.2% APY. If you’re thinking of getting into a CD, be sure to weigh your time horizon and liquidity needs. “Breaking” a CD before maturity carries a penalty of forfeited interest. Savers should also be aware of when their CD is about to expire, as their banks may automatically put them into a renewal CD at a lower rate.

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On this service, we and our vendors use cookies and other tools (“Cookies”) to store and access information on your device, such as device identifiers, IP address, and your browser type. You can access a list of all our potential 1015 vendors by selecting “IAB and Google Vendors,” although we may work with only a small selection of these on this service. Your data may be used to save and communicate your privacy choices; ensure security, prevent fraud, and debug our products and services; personalize advertising and content; for advertising and content measurement; to conduct audience research and services development; so we can improve our services and develop new ones; to match and combine offline data with your online activity; and for social features. We may share this data with select vendors with your consent.

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On this service, we and our vendors use cookies and other tools (“Cookies”) to store and access information on your device, such as device identifiers, IP address, and your browser type. Your data may be used to save and communicate your privacy choices; ensure security, prevent fraud, and debug our products and services; personalize advertising and content; for advertising and content measurement; to conduct audience research and services development; so we can improve our services and develop new ones; to match and combine offline data with your online activity; and for social features. We may share this data with select vendors with your consent. You can adjust your choices any time through the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer of relevant Versant sites or in-app settings.

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– Create profiles for personalised advertising 629 partners can use this purposeInformation about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.

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– Use profiles to select personalised content 231 partners can use this purposeContent presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.

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Technologies

Kalshi permanently bans former GOP Rep. George Santos over illegal trading

Former GOP Rep. George Santos, of New York, has drawn fire for allegedly trading on whether he would attend this year’s State of the Union address.

The prediction market platform Kalshi announced on Monday it has permanently banned former Republican Rep. George Santos and fined him $71,356 for allegedly using the app to trade on his own attendance at this year’s State of the Union address.

It’s the first ban of its kind on the platform, the company confirmed on Monday.

In the weeks leading up to President Donald Trump’s speech in February, Santos, who represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District from January 2023 until his expulsion from Congress later that same year, allegedly made more than $17,000 by betting on whether he would attend.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Santos “began making a series of public statements regarding his attendance at the event in an attempt to influence the price of Yes and No contracts, respectively. Some of these included false or misleading statements,” according to a Kalshi announcement of the disciplinary action, released Monday. Those actions violated the company’s rules on trading on non-public information, Kalshi said.

In one X post from days before Trump’s address, Santos said: “I’m going to be there for the State of Union in the gallery, guys.” On the day of the State of the Union, Santos posted he was watching from the airport.

Santos shot back at Kalshi on Monday in a post to X.

“Hey @Kalshi thanks for the lifetime ban from your gambling platform. Let’s see how much longer you guys are around for,” the former lawmaker wrote, ending the post with a “kiss mark” emoji.

Kalshi’s disciplinary action is not the first time Santos has drawn fire for the incident.

After Kalshi detected his trades and referred him to federal investigators, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in July ordered Santos to pay $35,000 for trading on State of the Union attendance. The federal regulator also banned Santos from trading for three years. Santos at the time shared a statement from his lawyer saying he had settled without admitting to any of the CFTC’s findings.

In June, amid the federal investigation, Polymarket, a rival prediction market platform, ended its paid relationship with Santos, who had been working as an online influencer for the company.

Before Santos was sworn into office in 2023, doubts about his biography had emerged. His time in Congress was punctuated by a House Ethics Committee investigation that found “substantial evidence of wrongdoing.” He became the first member of the House to be expelled in more than 20 years.

Santos had also been sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, though President Donald Trump commuted his sentence last fall.

Kalshi also announced settlements on Monday with three political candidates who traded on contracts related to their candidacies: a governor candidate in California, another gubernatorial hopeful in Maine, and a congressional candidate in North Carolina. All have to pay penalties and are banned from Kalshi for three years, but the company said all three complied with the investigations, unlike Santos.

While the candidates for California and Maine governor lost their races, Laurie Buckhout is the Republican nominee for the battleground North Carolina 1st Congressional District, where she faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Don Davis. Buckhout will have to pay a penalty of just under $2,600 for her trades.

“I bet on myself. Literally,” Buckhout said in a statement. “It was a dumb mistake, and as soon as I learned there was an issue, I worked to make it right. Safe to say my career as a Kalshi trader was short-lived.”

— CNBC’s Davis Giangiulio contributed reporting

Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship that includes customer acquisition and a minority investment.

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