3D Scanning Best Practices & Troubleshooting Tips with Structure Sensor

Whether you're capturing a foot mold in a clinic or scanning a prototype in the field, optimizing your 3D scanning workflow is key to achieving accurate, high-quality results. Below are essential best practices and troubleshooting tips to ensure you get the most out of your Structure Sensor 3.

Best Practices for High-Quality 3D Scans

1. Lighting Matters

Always ensure you're scanning in a well-lit environment. Dim or low-light settings can interfere with the sensor’s ability to track depth data effectively. Natural light or diffuse overhead lighting typically works best.

2. Set Your Bounding Box

Before scanning, adjust your bounding box so that the entire object is properly framed and the depth map covers the full area of interest. This ensures consistent tracking throughout the process.

3. Select Your Export Format

Choose the file format that best suits your workflow:

  • .OBJ for textured models and compatibility

  • .PLY for point cloud data

  • .STL for 3D printing applications

4. Maintain Proper Scanning Distance

Stand at an appropriate distance from your object—neither too close nor too far. This ensures the sensor can capture accurate depth data without distortion.

5. Scan Slowly and Steadily

Move slowly and methodically around your object. Rushing can lead to motion blur or tracking errors. Make sure you capture all necessary angles for a complete and accurate model.

6. Take Extra Care with Color Scans

If color tracking is important for your project, allow the sensor time to capture clean keyframes. Slower movements and deliberate passes will help ensure consistent color data.

7. Verify Your Scan

After scanning, take a moment to inspect the model. Check for missing data, distortion, or color artifacts before proceeding to export.

8. Export and Share

Once you're satisfied with the scan, tap the share icon to export your file to the desired location—whether that's local storage, cloud services, or a third-party application.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sensor Tracking Issues?

Try recalibrating your Structure Sensor 3:

  • Go outdoors or into a space with a "busy" visual background (lots of texture and contrast)

  • Launch the calibration utility and follow the on-screen steps

Trouble Initializing the Sensor?

Follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the Structure Sensor from your iPad

  2. Close all open apps

  3. Relaunch your scanning app

  4. Reconnect the sensor

  5. Ensure you're connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data

Firmware Check

Make sure your sensor is running the latest firmware by opening the Structure app and navigating to the firmware settings.

LED Light Reference

Wondering what the LED light colors mean on your Structure Sensor 3? Visit our full guide here:
Structure Sensor 3 LED Light Codes

Final Thoughts

Mastering these scanning techniques will help you achieve cleaner, more accurate results across a variety of applications—from healthcare to engineering. And if you ever encounter hiccups, the troubleshooting steps above can quickly get you back on track.

Happy scanning!