Chapter 8 Future Directions
Today’s advances in laser scanning provide the basis for capturing a digital image of an object, developing it within CAD software and printing a 3D replica at any scale (Figure 8.1). What does the future hold for scanning technology? How will it be used? What developments and refinements are anticipated in the next 25 years?
Figure 8.1 Scanning provides the basis of information allowing one to go from object to CAD file to 3D print
8.1 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Along with the rise of cloud file storage, computer’s exponential increase in levels of computing capacity has made possible development of advanced graphic software for 3D data. Many of these software are designed with particular user groups in mind, intended to serve the needs of their specific 3D applications. The growing market of specialized niche businesses within the greater 3D industry will drive even greater future development of software. Software as a Service (SaaS), the delivery of software through a cloud-based license system, will help to drive this trend. Its results will be twofold: as software allows greater use of 3D data, new technology devices to capture that data will be designed. These new devices in turn will allow further specialization of 3D niche industries, giving rise to more software development.
Software development will adapt in its usefulness as well. For example, ...
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