SHINING 3D Einstar: An In-Depth Review of the Affordable Professional 3D Scanner

Established in 2004, SHINING 3D has grown to become a leading Chinese manufacturer renowned for its innovative range of 3D printers and 3D scanners. With a strategic focus on specialized sectors such as medical and dental applications, the company has significantly expanded its international presence over recent years. Today, SHINING 3D boasts operational offices not only in China but also in Germany and the United States, cementing its global footprint. Its diverse product portfolio encompasses a variety of advanced solutions, including highly precise desktop 3D scanners, specialized dental scanners (including intraoral models for detailed oral cavity scans), sophisticated metrology scanners for industrial measurement, and a selection of both desktop and dental resin 3D printers, catering to a broad spectrum of professional needs.

Among the latest and most eagerly anticipated additions to SHINING 3D’s impressive product lineup is the Einstar 3D scanner. This particular model has garnered significant attention primarily due to its groundbreaking price point, setting a new benchmark for accessibility in professional 3D scanning. The Einstar is the first 3D scanner from SHINING 3D to be marketed at a price below €1,000, effectively democratizing access to professional-grade scanning technology. Leveraging the extensive experience and technological advancements accumulated by the manufacturer over nearly two decades, the Einstar is strategically positioned within the burgeoning market of entry-level professional 3D scanners. At 3Dnatives Lab, we recently had the exciting opportunity to receive and rigorously test the SHINING 3D Einstar scanner over several weeks. Our comprehensive evaluation aimed to answer critical questions: How does this scanner differentiate itself from its competitors? Does it genuinely deliver high-performance results despite its remarkably entry-level price tag? Join us as we delve into our detailed findings and share our conclusive thoughts on this innovative device.

Unboxing the SHINING 3D Einstar: First Impressions

The moment the SHINING 3D Einstar package arrives, its compact dimensions immediately hint at the device’s inherent portability. The box, surprisingly slim and only slightly larger than a standard shoebox, confirms that we are indeed dealing with a highly compact and easily transportable 3D scanner. Upon unboxing, users are greeted by a thoughtfully designed hard fabric carrying case. This robust case serves a dual purpose: it provides superior protection for the scanner and its delicate components during transit, and it allows users to conveniently carry the scanner along with all its essential accessories wherever their scanning projects may take them. Within the main compartment of this practical carrying case, one will find the Einstar scanner itself, its necessary connection cables, and a micro-fiber cloth for maintenance. A separate, dedicated pocket within the case securely houses the calibration board, which even comes with its own protective cover, ensuring its integrity. Finally, a small net compartment contains a comprehensive instruction manual, crucial for getting started, and a supply of sticky markers, which will prove invaluable for enhancing scan quality on challenging surfaces.

True to its design philosophy of portability, the Einstar is remarkably light, weighing in at a mere 500g, and boasts incredibly compact dimensions of just 220 x 46 x 55 mm. This featherlight and ergonomic design makes it exceptionally comfortable to hold and manipulate during extended scanning sessions. However, it’s important to note that the Einstar operates as a wired model, meaning it must always be connected to a PC during operation. This ensures stable power and high-speed data transfer crucial for accurate 3D scanning. The scanner comes equipped with a pre-fitted, durable silicone protective shell that encases almost its entire body, providing an extra layer of defense against bumps and scratches. The only exposed section is the front panel, which is crafted from a high-quality glass plate. Behind this protective glass, the technological heart of the Einstar resides: two specialized cameras dedicated to capturing depth information with remarkable precision, an RGB camera essential for acquiring vibrant color data, three VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) infrared projectors that cast the structured light patterns, and a carefully arranged set of LEDs for optimal illumination during the scanning process. This sophisticated array of components works in harmony to deliver detailed and accurate 3D scans.

Upon removing the Einstar 3D scanner from its protective silicone cover, a convenient screw thread is revealed, strategically positioned for mounting the device onto a standard tripod. This feature enhances versatility, allowing for stable, hands-free scanning in various setups. Beyond the glass front panel, the scanner’s main body is meticulously constructed from a robust aluminum chassis, contributing to its premium feel and exceptional durability. This resilient metal frame also houses three tactile buttons and two RGB LEDs at the rear, providing intuitive controls and visual feedback during operation. The overall design of the Einstar is a testament to modern industrial aesthetics – robust, minimalist, and elegant. This thoughtful design not only enhances its visual appeal but also contributes significantly to its ease of use and comfortable handling. The high-quality materials chosen for the scanner’s construction underscore its professional-grade nature, promising longevity and reliable performance for its users.

The SHINING 3D Einstar operates on the principle of structured light 3D scanning, a widely adopted and highly accurate method in professional applications. This technology functions by projecting a known pattern of light, typically a grid or a series of lines, onto the surface of an object. Integrated cameras then capture the image of this object with the structured light pattern distorted across its contours. By meticulously analyzing the deformations and displacements of the projected light pattern on the object’s surface from multiple viewpoints, the scanner can precisely calculate the 3D coordinates of each individual point. These millions of calculated 3D coordinates are then aggregated to form a dense point cloud, which is a faithful digital representation of the object’s geometry. Subsequently, this raw point cloud data can be transformed into a refined 3D mesh model, ready for various applications such as CAD software integration, reverse engineering, quality inspection, or 3D printing. The accuracy and detail achieved through structured light technology make the Einstar suitable for a wide array of professional tasks, delivering reliable digital reproductions.

Installation and Setup of the SHINING 3D Einstar Scanner

Once the SHINING 3D Einstar scanner and its accompanying accessories have been carefully unpacked, the initial setup process is guided by a clear instruction manual. The fundamental step involves connecting the scanner to a unified cable that ingeniously combines both the power supply and the serial (USB) data connection. Following this, the power supply component of this cable is connected to an electrical outlet, and finally, the USB connector is plugged into a suitable port on your computer. This streamlined cabling minimizes clutter and simplifies the connection process, ensuring a quick start for users.

Prior to initiating any scanning operations, a crucial step involves downloading and installing Exstar, the proprietary software meticulously developed by SHINING 3D specifically for their range of scanners. While the Einstar is celebrated for its portability, it remains fundamentally reliant on a robust connection to a PC to function optimally. Furthermore, it’s imperative to acknowledge that this PC must possess substantial computing power to handle the intensive data processing involved in 3D scanning. The manufacturer recommends a minimum configuration to ensure smooth performance: a computer running either Windows 10 or 11, equipped with an NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU boasting at least 6 GB of video memory, an Intel I7-11800H processor, and a generous 32 GB of RAM. This specification highlights the professional demands of the software and the scanner. Additionally, Exstar is currently exclusively compatible with Windows operating systems, rendering the Einstar incompatible with Linux and macOS environments, a factor potential users should consider based on their existing hardware and software ecosystem.

Once the Exstar software is successfully installed, it is highly recommended to perform an initial calibration of the Einstar scanner. This vital procedure ensures the highest possible accuracy and consistency in your scans. The process is remarkably user-friendly: simply place the dedicated calibration board, included with the scanner, on a stable, flat surface. Then, launch the calibration procedure directly from the intuitive, dedicated section within the Exstar software. The software is designed to guide the user step-by-step through the entire process, making it accessible even for those new to 3D scanning. Following the primary calibration, the next essential step is to adjust the white balance. This is an equally simple parameter to set; users merely need to flip the calibration board over and follow the software’s prompts to complete the adjustment process. These critical calibration steps are designed to optimize the scanner’s performance according to specific environmental and operational conditions. Therefore, it is strongly advised to carry out these calibrations regularly, particularly after transporting the scanner to a new location, to consistently achieve superior scanning results and maintain data integrity. While the Einstar offers incredible value, its entry-level price is partly justified by its demanding system requirements for the host PC and its data acquisition speed of 14 images per second, which is suitable for many applications but distinguishes it from higher-end, faster industrial solutions.

Exploring the Exstar Software: Your Gateway to 3D Scanning

The proprietary Exstar software, developed in-house by SHINING 3D, serves as the indispensable control center for all of the manufacturer’s 3D scanners, including the versatile Einstar. This powerful software is provided free of charge, offering users access to a comprehensive suite of advanced features specifically designed for efficient and precise object scanning. One of Exstar’s most compelling advantages is that all sophisticated post-processing functionalities, typically associated with SHINING 3D’s high-end professional scanners, are fully compatible and available for use with the entry-level Einstar. This means users can achieve professional-grade results from an accessible device, a significant benefit for small businesses, educators, and hobbyists alike.

The Exstar software interface is meticulously organized into distinct sections, each dedicated to a specific stage of the 3D scanning process. This logical division—covering scanner calibration, 3D scanning, post-processing, and measurements—significantly streamlines the workflow and makes the entire scanning process remarkably easy to learn, even for novice users. The intuitive layout ensures that users can quickly navigate through complex tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

The first section, as previously mentioned, facilitates the effortless calibration of the Einstar, utilizing the provided calibration board to ensure optimal accuracy before any scanning begins. Moving to the second section, users gain access to powerful tools for real-time scan preview, initiation of the digitization process, and an array of modification capabilities for the generated point cloud. These include flexible selection tools and adjustable cutting planes, allowing for precise data manipulation. This section also supports the immediate export of the point cloud into a preliminary mesh format. A particularly user-friendly feature is the ability to control various aspects of the scan interface directly from the scanner itself. The three physical buttons located on the back of the Einstar scanner allow users to launch the preview, initiate the scan, and finely adjust brightness and zoom settings on the fly, offering a truly hands-on and responsive scanning experience.

The third section of Exstar is dedicated to refining the 3D mesh before its final export. Here, users can perform crucial edits and optimizations to prepare their models for various downstream applications, whether it’s for integration into CAD software, use in Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) environments, or for preparing the model for 3D printing using a slicer. This stage ensures that the digital model is clean, accurate, and optimized for its intended purpose. Finally, the “Measurements” tab provides advanced functionalities for taking precise dimensions directly on the scanned 3D model, which is invaluable for quality control, reverse engineering, and design verification tasks, underscoring the comprehensive capabilities of the Exstar software in supporting professional workflows.

Executing First Scans with the SHINING 3D Einstar

After successfully unpacking, installing, and meticulously calibrating the SHINING 3D Einstar scanner, we were eager to embark on our initial scanning tests. The process commences by navigating to the “Scan” tab within the Exstar software. Here, users are prompted to create a new project, selecting the appropriate scanning mode—either for small objects or medium/large objects—and choosing the preferred alignment type from options such as Specificity, Colors, Hybrid, or Markers. This initial setup phase is crucial for optimizing the scanner’s performance for the specific object and desired outcome.

Once the scan tab is active, users gain the flexibility to fine-tune various settings, including zoom and brightness, conveniently accessible directly via the buttons on the scanner itself. This tactile control enhances the scanning experience, allowing for immediate adjustments based on real-time feedback. With all parameters configured, both the live preview and the actual scanning process can be initiated using the very same scanner buttons. This seamless integration of hardware and software controls contributes significantly to the Einstar’s intuitive operation.

Throughout our rigorous testing, we engaged the Einstar in scanning a diverse array of objects, from intricate small items to larger artifacts, and even human subjects. Across all scenarios, the scanner consistently produced remarkably faithful and highly detailed digital reproductions of our physical objects. A particularly impressive aspect was the “person” mode within the software, which pleasantly surprised us with its exceptional scanning speed. Even at this rapid pace, the Einstar maintained a high level of quality, accurately capturing all the nuances and intricate details of both faces and the broader human form. This capability makes it an excellent tool for applications in art, digital archiving, and personalized product design.

Owing to its remarkably small size and lightweight design, the SHINING 3D Einstar facilitates effortless scanning of a wide variety of objects. Its ergonomic form factor ensures that the scanner is comfortable to hold and manipulate, allowing users to effortlessly capture data from every conceivable angle. During the scanning process, it is often necessary to completely rotate the object being scanned to capture its full geometry. This rotation can be performed manually by the user, or more conveniently, with the aid of a rotating plate. Furthermore, for enhanced stability and to manage the cable connecting the scanner to the PC, the Einstar can be securely fixed to a tripod, minimizing clutter and enabling more stable, consistent scans.

During extended scanning sessions, particularly on complex or featureless objects, it is not uncommon to occasionally lose tracking of the scanned object. Should this occur, the solution is straightforward: simply re-point the scanner at an area that has been previously scanned and successfully captured. The software will re-establish its position and allow you to seamlessly continue the scanning process. A key consideration for structured light scanning technology is its reliance on non-reflective surfaces for optimal performance. Therefore, when attempting to scan parts with highly reflective or transparent areas—such as a gleaming metallic tank, a clear glass vase, or a glossy screen—it becomes necessary to first mattify the object. This can be effectively achieved using specialized scanning sprays, like those offered by AESUB, which create a temporary, thin matte coating that allows the structured light patterns to be accurately captured by the cameras, preventing data loss and ensuring a complete scan.

To further enhance the scanner’s performance, especially when dealing with large, relatively flat surfaces or objects that inherently present difficulties for 3D scanning, the self-adhesive targets supplied with the Einstar prove invaluable. These small, distinct markers assist the scanner in maintaining consistent tracking of the object within the 3D space, significantly improving the robustness and accuracy of data acquisition. By providing clear reference points, these targets prevent potential drift and ensure a more complete and coherent scan, particularly beneficial for geometric alignment.

A significant advantage of the Exstar software is its capability to perform multiple scans within the confines of a single project. This feature is particularly useful when an object is too large to capture in one pass, or when certain areas require additional detail from different angles. These individual scans can then be intelligently merged with each other using Exstar’s powerful, dedicated tools. While manual merging offers precise control, the software also provides advanced automatic merge functions. These sophisticated algorithms significantly reduce the need for tedious manual retouching, saving considerable time and effort for the user, and ensuring a cohesive, complete 3D model from disparate scan data. This combination of flexibility and automation makes the Einstar a highly efficient tool for comprehensive 3D data capture.

*All Photo Credits: 3Dnatives

Conclusion: The SHINING 3D Einstar’s Value Proposition

Our extensive review of the SHINING 3D Einstar confirms its position as a groundbreaking product in the 3D scanning market. By offering professional-grade scanning capabilities at an unprecedented sub-€1,000 price point, SHINING 3D has effectively lowered the barrier to entry for high-quality 3D data acquisition. The Einstar’s compact, lightweight, and robust design, coupled with its elegant aesthetics, makes it a pleasure to handle and transport. Its structured light technology, incorporating dual depth cameras, an RGB camera, VCSEL projectors, and LEDs, ensures accurate and detailed scans, even capturing vibrant color data for realistic reproductions. While its wired operation and specific PC hardware requirements (Windows OS, powerful GPU and RAM) are important considerations, they are understandable trade-offs for the performance offered at this price.

The Exstar software stands out as a significant asset, providing an intuitive, sectioned interface that guides users through every stage of the 3D scanning workflow, from calibration to advanced post-processing and precise measurements. The inclusion of professional features, typically reserved for more expensive scanners, makes the Einstar an incredibly versatile tool. Our tests demonstrated its ability to produce faithful digital copies of various objects and even capture human forms with impressive speed and detail. Tips for handling challenging surfaces with anti-glare sprays and the use of adhesive markers further extend its utility, ensuring successful scans even on difficult-to-capture items. The multi-scan and automatic merging functionalities within Exstar streamline complex projects, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.

In summary, the SHINING 3D Einstar is an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses seeking an affordable yet highly capable professional 3D scanner. It is particularly well-suited for educators, designers, artists, small-scale reverse engineering projects, and anyone looking to digitize objects with good fidelity without a substantial financial investment. While it demands a capable PC, the overall package delivers remarkable value, blending user-friendliness with professional output. The Einstar truly democratizes professional 3D scanning, making it accessible to a much broader audience and expanding the possibilities for creative and technical applications. Its arrival marks a significant milestone, proving that high performance and affordability can indeed coexist in the world of 3D technology.