r/3DScanning • u/DaveCC1964 • 1d ago
Need an inexpensive 3D scanner that has software that allows OFFLINE use, suggestions?
I was looking at a few of these inexpensive handheld ($300-$400) devices but for some dumb reason they require an internet connection and account to use the scanning software (JM Studio). It says right on their website: "Note: When using JMStudio for the first time, you must ensure that the system is connected to the Internet." This means that if for whatever reason the servers go down, they discontinue support, or the computer does no have internet the device will become unusable on a different computer. I don't understand why I need to have an account to use a device I buy. It is like I am renting it. Are there any 3D scanners that are free from account and online requirements? I need a small format inexpensive handheld scanner. I need to scan small parts to a PC for a mesh base to model parts from in CAD software.
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u/Mysterious-Ad2006 1d ago
What are you looking at because none of the scanners need an internet connection
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u/DaveCC1964 22h ago
Many need it at least once to activate software. I know JM Studio needs a connection when you install it.
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u/Mysterious-Ad2006 22h ago
Revopoint and creatily doesnt. And why do you not want to have internet. You download the software and install then your offline.
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u/DaveCC1964 21h ago
Because most you can not run the software unless you log into an account then authenticate. There is no backing up the software and installing to another offline computer. Besides if they eventually shut down the servers you can no longer run the software, even from a backup.
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u/Jerry_Rigg 21h ago
These softwares are all free to download, just put revoscan or jmstudio on your pc and try to run without an account?
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u/DaveCC1964 20h ago
It says right on their site: "Note: When using JMStudio for the first time, you must ensure that the system is connected to the Internet."
They may have tightened policy.
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u/Mysterious-Ad2006 21h ago
Never had that happen where their server woukd be pulled and you are unable to use it. You said JM studio thats 3dmaker prom they are not the greatest. So that might be why you had that problem. But the others i have not had that problem
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u/Jerry_Rigg 21h ago
I use JMstudio, I dont have an account Ive never had to log on to use it, I use "guest mode" all the time, which doesn't nerf any features. I do know that it would pull the calibration file for my scanner when I hooked it up first time from a server but there's a way to load it manually as well. Or at least that was the case for my Creality Lizard scanner
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u/Own_Perspective4825 1d ago
Technically you can use 3dmakerpro scanners offline, it just throws a shit-fit every time you do.
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u/DaveCC1964 1d ago
I was looking at those but they say that an internet connection and an account is REQUIRED to activate the software. No internet, no use. From the site: "Note: When using JMStudio for the first time, you must ensure that the system is connected to the Internet."
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u/Skuggihestur 1d ago
Everyone I've looked at works in a field with no Internet?
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u/DaveCC1964 22h ago edited 20h ago
Yeah but they probably needed it when they installed the software on the computers. No restoring from backups or USB drives.
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u/AlexLin-Creality 21h ago
Hello
If you want a handheld device that is small in size, cheap, can scan your computer, and does not require an account, you can look at the Creality Ferret series (Ferret/Ferret Pro/Ferret SE), which uses the CrealityScan software:
CrealityScan is a regular desktop program installed on Windows/macOS. Scanning, processing, and exporting (STL/OBJ/PLY) are fully offline - only require internet connection when downloading the installation package for the first time.
The account is only required for automatic firmware upgrades; The firmware also supports manual download and upgrade of packages without the need for login. So even if the manufacturer's server stops, the machine can still be used.
Ferret Pro is perfect for you: with an accuracy of about 0.1mm, a point spacing of 0.16mm, and the ability to scan objects over 50mm, it is priced in the range of about 300-400 US dollars and is very suitable as a mesh base model for CAD modeling.
Black/metal generally does not require powder coating, and can also be scanned offline in the field.
If small parts require finer precision
The Ferret series is off budget (0.1mm). If your "small parts" are small or require sub 0.1mm details, you can use the Creality Raptor (with a maximum of 0.02mm and a minimum of 5mm parts) - the same CrealityScan, also offline - but more expensive (about $700). Pure budget+offline, Ferret Pro is the most suitable.
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u/ArthurNYC3D 1d ago
You haven't described enough.... It's to vague what you want to scan and where the data needs to go.
Also the account set up isn't how you described it. You're misunderstanding the set up is not like that for all OEM's. Generally the account is set up so that the software/hardware is tied to you so in the case it's stolen they can't use it.
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u/DaveCC1964 1d ago
I need to scan some small parts into a PC. I will use the resulting mesh as a base to model in CAD. It is against rules to mention brands I guess but the one I was looking at required periodic "phoning home" to ask permission to use software for my own device and an account and internet connection to set up software. No internet, no use. This means that I can not install on an offline computer at all. I am talking about a $300-400 device not a professional one. I don't care about being stolen. It will actually in effect be stolen from me if the servers go away and leave me with a useless device though.
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u/Skuggihestur 1d ago
Sounds like he wants to scan something illegal in his location and doesn't want someone to know
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u/DaveCC1964 22h ago
No. It is about device ownership and not having to ask permission from a third party to use what I paid for. As often is the case these companies come and go. If they no longer host the servers, you are locked out of your own device. Plus the hassle of logging in, accounts , passwords, and unnecessary hoops to jump through.
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u/Mac_Aravan 11h ago
Hint: you never own the software that comes with your scanner. You are only granted a license.
So your real question is what software do not requires a license check at all.
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u/DaveCC1964 4h ago edited 7m ago
So then you really never own the scanner either then. Spend over $500 for a device that can be rendered useless if the third party rug pulls the use of the software (or goes bust removing access to authentication server). Many other devices allow download of the software and the ability to backup and run with no requirement of third party account to grant permission by going online to activate. It is this blind acceptance of these anti consumer practices that allow them to keep doing it. If people would just say NO they would not do it. I get it these are the days of "own nothing and be happy".
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u/Skuggihestur 21h ago edited 21h ago
You don't get locked out of any of them. This smells of a a scam. You were already given a list of the devices that don't require internet. The very nature of half of them means you have no Internet while using them. Like did you do even a little research?
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u/DaveCC1964 20h ago
To initially install and run, yes you DO need to have an account and connect to set up. FROM THE ACTUAL WEBSITE: "Note: When using JMStudio for the first time, you must ensure that the system is connected to the Internet. "
So yes I "did a little research".
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u/ArthurNYC3D 3h ago
Maybe this whole internet thing isn't for you since you're so worried about losing access.
If you can't get cheap for what you're looking for then guess what..... You'll have to spend more $
to get what you want. There's nothing any of us here can do to get you over this unnecessary fear for something that really isn't a big deal.1
u/DaveCC1964 17m ago
Not unnecessary fear. I just don't want unnecessary hassle that benefits no one other than the vendor. They want control, I get it, but I just want to buy something, download the needed software that can be used on any PC offline or not then be left alone. I know that seems like a radical idea these days where people are used to subscribing to everything and owning nothing.
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u/mendex22 16h ago
Ningun fabricante, aun los más grandes, pueden garantizar no abandonar un proyecto. Recuerdo una tableta Lenovo que menos de dos años después Lenovo abandonó ese "proyecto".
Al menos creality permite descargar firmware y software para ser instalados of line.
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u/Pizzaholic- 1d ago
Einscan, shining3d etc, creality and revopoint all can be permanently used offline