MakerBot unveils 3-D scanner
cnn.com
cnn.com
Even if not, people will still scan and upload scans of common objects, such as the battery cover to a remote control or controller or wiimote. Someone (Google? Make?) will host the Youtube/Github of 3d image scans, where people will freely upload their scans.
And there are all kinds of other prototyping situations where this could be used -- make a model out of clay or balsa or your favorite malleable material, scan it, then print it from the 3d printer.
Which leads to fast physical prototyping -- 3d-print a model, modify it with hand or power tools (box knife, file, dremel), scan, modify the shape file in AutoCAD, 3d-print, modify by hand, scan, modify in AutoCAD, etc.
The github style site exists, it's called Thingiverse[1]. People post some amazing stuff. Watching Thingiverse was a big part of why I bought my 3D printer.
I agree that the ability to make something in a medium you're familiar with and take that as a base for 3D modeling seems great. I think some people have tried that using the 3D capture programs that use a series of photographs, but this would certainly work better.
seems simliar and I'd imagine a 10 year lead on R&D is a big moat.
I've been using a LCD projector + CCD webcam + Davids Laser Scanner [1] for sometime now to scan large objects (and a laser line scanner for smaller objects). I imagine one could build a consumer friendly setup with an arrary of 5W LEDs, a small LCD/e-ink display, and a bit of magic for fairly cheap.
[1] http://www.david-laserscanner.com/wiki/david3_user_manual/st...
http://richrap.blogspot.com/2012/04/universal-paste-extruder...