Revopoint Trackit

Marker-based 3D scanning has long carried a hidden tax: sticking reference dots onto an object before scanning, then peeling them off afterwards. Revopoint Trackit, a Kickstarter project from Chinese company Revopoint 3D, is built around removing that step. The maker says its optical tracking approach produces accurate 3D models without any markers, which also avoids marking delicate surfaces such as artworks or precision machine parts.

Founded in 2014, Revopoint 3D has run seven previous Kickstarter projects that drew more than 31,000 backers, according to the source; Trackit is described as its eighth.

How the tracking works

A dual-camera base station follows the scanner's movement through space in real time. The maker says this lets Trackit scan objects from 10 mm up to 6 m in a single workflow. For subjects larger than the station's field of view, a "leapfrog" method moves the base station around the object while frames are stitched together automatically into a complete model. A separate handheld mode is intended for tight spaces and internal structures the base station cannot see, and two laser modes can be switched depending on the job.

Accuracy and build

Revopoint 3D cites industrial-level accuracy certified via CNAS, with volumetric accuracy of 0.025 + 0.04 mm×L(M) and scanner accuracy of up to 0.02 mm. A dual-axis gimbal system handles calibration automatically rather than relying on manual operator skill. The frame is carbon fibre to limit deformation over long sessions, and temperature sensors monitor both tracker and scanner in real time to counter thermal drift. A high-resolution RGB camera captures surface colour and texture.

• Revo Trackit: included free software for scanning, editing, processing and calibration, with real-time point cloud monitoring and tools for hole filling, smoothing and data cleanup
• Revo Measure: a 3D measurement tool for comparing point clouds and meshes against CAD models; the campaign offers backers a one-year licence
• Revo Design: described as equivalent to QUICKSURFACE Lite, for converting scan data into CAD
• Trackit Robot 3D Scanning System: robot-arm integration with software control over TCP/IP for automated scanning

The source positions Trackit for industrial design, quality control and reverse engineering, with possible uses in prosthetics, VR content and cultural heritage archiving. Revopoint 3D also states that materials in the product and packaging comply with European regulations including the RoHS and Battery Directives.