When a 3D scanner captures texture (also known as color texture), it not only acquires the geometric shape of the object but also records its surface details and characteristics—such as color, material, and fine textures. This information is essential for creating realistic and hyper-detailed digital models that accurately represent the physical appearance of the scanned object in 3D—a digital twin. A 3D scanner capable of color 3D scanning can capture the texture of an object.

Geometry capture: It involves creating an accurate digital representation of the object’s physical shape and dimensions in three-dimensional space.

Geometry + Texture capture: Capturing the 3D geometry of an object as well as the visual appearance and tactile qualities of the object’s surface, including color.

Hip Bone 3D Scans (Scanned with the Artec Space Spider)

Maya Wood Carving (Scanned with the Artec Space Spider)

Here’s a quick video that shows how color texture is captured using the Artec Space Spider.

Here is the final 3D model.

Soda 3D Scan

Applications Requiring Only Geometry Capture

For a lot of applications, capturing the color and texture of an object isn’t necessary if your goal is to get accurate 3D measurements of an object. Some applications where textureless 3D scans are sufficient include engineering, design, and virtual simulations.

Applications Requiring Color Texture

Color texture data is beneficial for applications where visual realism is important. Color 3D scans are useful when you need a true representation of the physical object in color and likeness.

Some use cases include:

• E-commerce applications where you want to showcase a 3D model in an online store
• Documenting and preserving physical objects in digital form (museums or research)
• Virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality
• CGI for visual effects (movies and video games)
• Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality applications (for use with Apple Vision Pro or Metaquest headsets)

James Madison Statue

Grocery Store Shelf

Typically, a 3D scanner that can capture the texture of an object is more expensive compared to one that only captures the geometry (or textureless scans). For example, the Artec Eva Lite, which focuses on capturing the object’s geometry, is approximately half the price of a standard Artec Eva that can capture geometry and texture.

Artec Eva Lite

Geometry Capture
(Monochrome 3D scans)

Artec Eva

Geometry + Texture Capture
(Color 3D scans)

Learn more about the differences

In scenarios where color isn’t essential or you have a tight budget, the Artec Eva Lite offers a similar performance to the Eva model, with the main difference being that it cannot capture color texture. If you start with an Artec Eva Lite and find the need for color 3D scanning later on, you always have the option to upgrade in the future (same hardware, software upgrade).

For Artec 3D scanners equipped with a texture camera, Artec Studio 3D scanning software will activate the scanner’s texture flash and capture color images that it will use to texture the 3D model.

At this point, we’ve been talking about how a 3D scanner can capture geometry and color texture at the same time. This method of capturing color texture is of good quality for a majority of applications. However, for some industries such as video game or movie production for CGI, attaining a 3D model that is the closest match to the exact color and texture of the physical object is essential.

Artec Studio 3D scanning software, which powers all Artec 3D scanners, has a photogrammetry algorithm that can combine high resolution 3D mesh and photography to achieve photorealistic textures. This creates a hyper realistic, high accuracy 3D model.

Capturing Color Texture with Artec 3D Scanners	Path A	Path B
	Using the scanner’s internal camera for texture capture	Using an external camera like a digital SLR for texture capture
Color Texture Quality
Workflow	When you are doing 3D scanning with Artec 3D scanners (with the exception of Artec Eva Lite), color texture is already captured. The scanner has a camera for capturing texture.	If you require the highest quality color texture, you can combine geometry data from your Artec scanner with texture data from an external camera or a smartphone. Create extra realistic, texture-perfect 3D assets for games, animation, VR/AR applications, and more.

Here’s a quick video of the workflow:

If you are interested in exploring more on this topic, Artec 3D created an in-depth video tutorial that walks you through the entire process.

We hope you have a better understanding of color 3D scanning after you read this article. If you have further questions, please feel free to talk to us.