This report provides an in-depth analysis of the application status and future trends of full-body 3D scanners in the realistic figurine industry. The realistic figurine market is experiencing significant growth, and full-body 3D scanning technology, as an emerging tool, is revolutionizing the figurine production process, enabling high levels of personalization and customization. This report summarizes the current market size and growth trends of realistic figurines, discusses the application of mainstream 3D scanning technologies in figurine production, investigates existing successful cases, analyzes major service providers and their characteristics, and explores the technical challenges and solutions in this field, as well as the importance of 3D printing technology in post-production. Finally, the report also analyzes user customization needs and provides a forecast for the future trends of this industry. Key findings include the continuous expansion of the realistic figurine market, the rapid growth of 3D scanning technology applications in this field, the dominance of structured light and photogrammetry as current mainstream scanning technologies, and the emergence of a number of manufacturers providing professional scanning and production services. Despite some technical difficulties, with the continuous advancement of technology and the maturity of solutions, the application prospects of full-body 3D scanners in the realistic figurine industry are broad.
Introduction: The Rise of Personalized Figurines and the Empowerment of 3D Scanning Technology
In the consumer market, the demand for personalized and unique products is increasing. Consumers are no longer satisfied with mass-produced goods but prefer customized products that can reflect individual characteristics and memories. In this context, realistic figurines, as products that can capture personal images and transform them into physical models, have received widespread attention in the market. Whether as unique collectibles, precious gifts, or personal souvenirs, realistic figurines carry the emotional value and personalization needs of consumers.
The emergence of 3D scanning technology has brought a revolutionary change to the production of realistic figurines. The traditional figurine production process is complex, time-consuming, and difficult to achieve a high degree of personalized customization. However, 3D scanning technology can quickly and accurately capture human three-dimensional data, providing a digital foundation for subsequent figurine production. By combining 3D scanning technology with 3D printing technology, highly realistic and personalized realistic figurines can be efficiently produced, greatly meeting the market’s demand for customized products. This report aims to comprehensively analyze the application of full-body 3D scanners in the realistic figurine industry, providing in-depth market insights and decision-making references for relevant enterprises and investors.
Market Overview: Realistic Figurines and 3D Scanning
Market Size and Growth Trends of the Realistic Figurine Industry
Currently, the realistic figurine market is in a stage of steady growth. Globally, the market related to figurines has shown strong growth momentum. For example, the global action figure market was valued at $9.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $18.5 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.87%. The toy collectibles market was valued at $19.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $45.2 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The personalized gifts market was valued at $28.27 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $59.24 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.69%. These data indicate that the market segments closely related to realistic figurines are showing significant growth trends, laying a solid foundation for the development of the realistic figurine industry.
In the Chinese market, the figurine industry has also shown vigorous vitality. The “Research Report on the Consumption Trends of Figurines by China’s Generation Z” shows that the consumption market size of figurines in China reached 3.66 billion RMB in 2020 and is expected to continue to maintain rapid growth in the next few years. iResearch believes that with the rise of domestic trendy figurines and the popularity of the trendy toy market, the potential user base of figurines is constantly expanding, and the market size is expected to exceed 91.2 billion RMB in 2023. This astonishing growth rate fully reflects the huge demand and consumption potential of Chinese consumers for figurine products.
Combining the above data, although there is no clear data specifically for the “realistic figurine” market segment, the action figures, toy collectibles, and personalized gifts markets to which it belongs all show steady or even rapid growth. Especially in the Chinese market, the huge potential of figurine consumption indicates that the realistic figurine field also has broad development prospects.
Market Penetration and Growth of 3D Scanning Technology in the Realistic Figurine Field
Accompanying the growth in the market size of realistic figurines is the continuous expansion of the market penetration rate and application scope of 3D scanning technology in this field. The global 3D scanning market was valued at $3.91 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $11.85 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate as high as 13.11%. Another report shows that the global 3D scanner market size has reached 19.6 billion RMB and is expected to reach 42.4 billion RMB in 2026. These data reflect the strong growth momentum of the overall 3D scanning technology market, and realistic figurines, as an emerging application field, naturally benefit from this trend.
3D scanning technology, as a non-contact, non-destructive digital tool, can accurately record the contours of real objects into computer-aided design (CAD) data, providing an efficient and precise solution for the manufacture of personalized products. Especially in the entertainment industry, 3D scanning technology is widely used in film and game production to create more realistic characters and environments. With the advancement of technology and the reduction of costs, 3D scanning technology is gradually being applied to a wider range of consumer fields, including the production of personalized gifts and customized products. The emergence of online 3D realistic figurine printing services further proves that the market penetration of 3D scanning technology in the realistic figurine field is accelerating. Users can generate high-quality 3D models and print them into realistic figurines by uploading photos or videos online, which greatly reduces the customization threshold and attracts the attention of more consumers.
Technical Applications of 3D Scanning in Realistic Figurine Production
Analysis of Mainstream 3D Scanning Technologies (Structured Light, Photogrammetry, etc.)
In the production process of realistic figurines, the currently mainstream 3D scanning technologies mainly include structured light scanning and photogrammetry.
Structured light scanning is a technology that projects specific patterns of light (usually stripes or grids) onto the surface of an object and uses one or more cameras to capture the deformation of the light patterns, then calculates the three-dimensional shape of the object through the principle of triangulation. Structured light scanners usually have high accuracy and resolution and can capture the fine features of an object’s surface, making them very suitable for applications that require high detail restoration, such as human body scanning to create realistic facial features. In addition, structured light scanning has a fast speed, relatively simple operation, and low requirements for ambient lighting, so it is widely used in the field of realistic figurine production. Common full-body 3D scanners on the market, such as Shining 3D’s EinScan series and 3DMakerPro’s Seal series, all use structured light technology.
Photogrammetry is a technology that reconstructs a three-dimensional model of an object by capturing multiple photos of the object from different angles and then using computer vision algorithms to analyze the common feature points in these photos. The advantage of photogrammetry is its relatively low cost, as it only requires ordinary digital cameras for data acquisition, and it is suitable for objects of various sizes, including full-body human scans. In addition, photogrammetry performs excellently in capturing the color and texture of an object’s surface, which can provide richer visual information for realistic figurines. For example, the realistic figurine service provided by 3Dfy.me uses a multi-camera array system based on the principle of photogrammetry, which can complete full-body scanning in an instant and capture high-resolution color and texture data.
Specific Application Processes and Technical Characteristics
The production process of realistic figurines usually starts with 3D scanning. The person being scanned poses according to the requirements, and then a full-body 3D scanner is used for scanning. For structured light scanning, the scanner projects structured light patterns onto the person being scanned and records the deformation of the patterns through cameras to obtain three-dimensional data. This process usually takes only ten seconds to several tens of seconds. For photogrammetry, multiple photos need to be taken around the person being scanned, ensuring coverage from all angles. For example, Shapify Booth uses four Artec 3D scanners and can complete a full-body scan in just 12 seconds. 3Dfy.me uses a multi-camera system containing 154 cameras, which can complete scanning in an instant.
After scanning, the obtained raw three-dimensional data usually needs to undergo post-processing, including data alignment, model fusion, mesh optimization, texture mapping, and other steps, to finally generate a digital model that can be used for 3D printing. For example, Artec Studio software provides powerful post-processing functions. For photogrammetry data, professional software (such as Agisoft Metashape or RealityCapture) is required for model reconstruction.
The technical characteristics of structured light scanning are high precision and rich details, but it requires the person being scanned to remain relatively still, and it may have difficulties in capturing dark or reflective surfaces. The technical characteristics of photogrammetry are low cost and rich color information, but the accuracy may be slightly lower than structured light, and it has high requirements for lighting conditions and photo quality. Some advanced full-body 3D scanning systems, such as Twindom and 3DFascination, often use hybrid technologies or optimized hardware designs to overcome the limitations of a single technology and achieve faster, more accurate, and more realistic full-body scanning effects.
Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning Case Analysis
Research on Successful Cases of Using Full Body 3D Scanners to Produce Realistic Figurines
Many successful cases of using full-body 3D scanners to produce realistic figurines have emerged in the market. For example, Artec Shapify Booth has been widely used in shopping malls and tourist attractions to provide customers with fast services for making personalized “shapies” (3D selfie small statues). Customers only need to stand for 12 seconds to complete the scan and can obtain their 3D model in a short time, which is finally printed into exquisite realistic figurines. These cases show that automated, high-efficiency full-body 3D scanning solutions have achieved success in commercial applications.
Twindom, in cooperation with Kodak, launched the KODAK Full Body 3D Scanner, aiming to provide a simple, powerful, and mobile solution for the rapidly growing 3D printed portrait market. Twindom’s technology has been widely used in the 3D portrait business, making 3D printed realistic figurines and serving research and development laboratories. These cases show that full-body 3D scanning technology is being adopted by more and more enterprises and institutions to meet consumers’ demand for personalized portrait products.
3DFascination, as a company providing end-to-end 3D solutions, also offers full-body 3D scanning, realistic head portraits, and color portrait services. Their scanner has the characteristics of fast setup and capture, and can produce high-quality 3D models, which are finally printed into color portraits. These cases further confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of full-body 3D scanning technology in producing high-quality realistic figurines.
Production Process and Effect Analysis
The production process of these successful cases usually includes the following steps: First, a full-body 3D scanner is used to quickly obtain the three-dimensional data of the person being scanned. This process is usually very fast, for example, Shapify Booth only takes 12 seconds. Second, professional software is used to process the scanned data to generate a digital model that can be used for 3D printing. This process also tends to be automated. For example, Shapify Booth can generate a printable model within 5 minutes after scanning. Finally, full-color 3D printing technology is used to print the digital model into a physical figurine.
In terms of production effect, due to the use of high-precision 3D scanning technology and full-color 3D printing technology, these realistic figurines can usually highly restore the appearance characteristics of the person being scanned, including facial contours, hairstyle, body shape, and the details of the clothes worn. For example, Twindom’s scanning system aims to create “lifelike human and pet head portraits,” while 3DFascination emphasizes the “unprecedented” realism of its color portraits. These cases show that full-body 3D scanning technology has been able to produce satisfactory and highly realistic realistic figurines.
Analysis of Major Service Providers for Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning
List of Major Manufacturers or Studios Providing Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning and Production Services
Many manufacturers or studios providing realistic figurine 3D scanning and production services have emerged in the market. The following lists some of the major players:
- Artec 3D (Shapify Booth): Provides automated full-body 3D scanning solutions, mainly for commercial places such as shopping malls and tourist attractions.
- Twindom: Provides a complete set of full-body 3D scanning systems and 3D printing services, including hardware, software, and cloud platforms.
- 3DFascination (osensus): Provides full-body 3D scanners, realistic head portraits, and color portrait services, focusing on fast scanning and high-quality output.
- My3dSelfie: Provides photo-based customized 3D realistic figurine services and also offers 3D scanning services.
- Fab Figures: Provides highly customized realistic figurine production services, including 1/6 scale dolls and head sculpt customization.
- HeroBuilders: Provides personalized customized action figure services, including 3D printing and traditional manual techniques.
- ToyBuilders: Provides customized action figures, dolls, plush toys, and wooden toys, etc.
- CanvasChamp: Provides photo-based customized 3D full-body mini statue services.
- Zap! Creatives: Provides customized acrylic and wooden portrait services.
- 3dfy.me: Provides full-body 3D scanning, 3D modeling, and full-color 3D printing services, mainly operating in New Zealand.
- EINSTAR (Shining 3D): Provides high-precision 3D scanners that can be used for portrait scanning and figurine production. Users usually need to complete the subsequent 3D modeling and printing themselves.
- 3DMakerPro: Provides high-precision 3D scanners, such as the Seal series, suitable for art models and small portrait scanning. Users need to complete the subsequent processing and printing themselves.
Service Features and Price Analysis
The service features and prices of these service providers vary to some extent:
- Automation Degree and Service Model: Manufacturers such as Artec Shapify Booth and Twindom provide more automated solutions suitable for rapid deployment and operation in commercial venues. My3dSelfie, Fab Figures, and HeroBuilders, etc., focus more on personalized customization services, which may require users to provide more detailed image data or conduct more in-depth communication.
- Technical Characteristics: Some service providers, such as Artec and Twindom, have their own 3D scanning hardware and software technologies, enabling them to provide more comprehensive solutions. Others, such as My3dSelfie, may focus more on utilizing existing scanning and printing technologies to provide convenient online customization services.
- Price Range: The price of realistic figurines is affected by various factors, including size, material, customization degree, and the service provider’s brand and technical level. For example, CanvasChamp offers a 6-inch single full-body customized 3D printed mini statue for approximately $169, while more refined, larger-sized, or highly customized figurines may cost more. Shapify Booth’s business model is to sell scanning equipment to partners and charge per model file, with the final figurine price set by the partners themselves. 3dfy.me offers 12 cm realistic figurines starting from 189 New Zealand dollars.
- Customization Degree: Manufacturers such as Fab Figures and HeroBuilders offer a very high degree of customization. Users can customize the characters’ clothing, poses, and even facial expressions according to their needs. My3dSelfie also provides various customization options, including clothing selection and pose adjustment.
In summary, the realistic figurine 3D scanning and production service market presents diverse characteristics. Users can choose suitable service providers based on their needs, budget, and requirements for the degree of customization.
Technical Challenges and Solutions in Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning
Potential Technical Problems Encountered During Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning
The following technical problems may be encountered during the 3D scanning process of realistic figurines:
- Scanning reflective or transparent surfaces: Human skin and some clothing may have a certain degree of reflectivity, while objects such as glasses may be transparent. These can interfere with the light projection and reflection of the 3D scanner, leading to data loss or noise.
- Scanning hair: Hair is usually fine and soft, easily absorbs light, and may move slightly during the scanning process, making it difficult for the 3D scanner to accurately capture, resulting in missing hair details or inaccurate shapes in the model.
- Capturing fine details: Fine details such as facial features, skin texture, and clothing folds are crucial for the realism of realistic figurines, but ordinary 3D scanners may have difficulty in fully capturing these details.
- Handling movement during scanning: Even if the person being scanned tries to remain still, subtle movements such as breathing and blinking may cause deviations in the scanned data, especially in cases where the scanning time is long.
- Large data processing volume: Full-body 3D scanning will generate a large amount of three-dimensional data, which has high requirements for computer performance and processing power. The post-processing processes such as data alignment and model fusion may also take a long time.
- Maintaining color consistency: When using a color 3D scanner, how to ensure the stability of lighting conditions during the scanning process and the consistency between the final model color and the real color of the person being scanned is also a technical challenge.
- Scanning dark surfaces: Dark objects absorb more light, making it difficult for the 3D scanner to read their surface information.
Corresponding Solutions
In response to the above technical difficulties, the industry has developed various solutions and best practices:
- Using scanning spray or powder: For reflective or transparent surfaces, a temporary matte spray or powder can be applied to change the light reflection characteristics of the object’s surface, making it easier for the scanner to capture. Some scanning sprays are self-evaporating and do not require cleaning after scanning.
- Adopting appropriate scanning technology: For fine and soft objects such as hair, specially designed 3D scanners can be used, such as Shining 3D’s EinScan H and Einstar, which use infrared technology to effectively capture both dark and light-colored hair. Hair gel or dry shampoo can also be used to make the hair more structured, making it easier for the scanner to capture.
- Selecting high-precision scanners and optimizing scanning parameters: Using 3D scanners with high resolution and high precision, and adjusting scanning distance, angle, and exposure according to the characteristics of the person being scanned can improve detail capture capabilities.
- Shortening scanning time and using multi-scanner systems: Adopting fast scanning technology or using scanning systems with multiple synchronized scanners (such as 3D scanning booths) can obtain complete three-dimensional data in a short time, thereby reducing errors caused by movement.
- Optimizing data processing flow and algorithms: Using high-performance computers and optimized data processing software can improve data processing efficiency. Using advanced alignment and fusion algorithms can more accurately integrate multi-view scanning data, reducing data loss and errors.
- Controlling scanning environment lighting: During the scanning process, try to maintain uniform and stable ambient lighting and avoid strong reflections or shadows. Soft light equipment can be used, or scanning can be performed indoors.
- Using markers or scanning targets: For dark or featureless surfaces, markers or scanning targets can be placed on or around the person being scanned to help the scanner with positioning and data alignment.
Realistic Figurine 3D Printing Technology
Application and Importance of 3D Printing Technology in the Post-Production of Realistic Figurines
3D printing technology is a crucial part of the post-production of realistic figurines. After obtaining the three-dimensional data model of the human body through 3D scanning, a 3D printer is needed to transform the digital model into a real physical model. The application of 3D printing technology brings great flexibility and innovation to the production of realistic figurines.
In terms of application, 3D printing technology can directly print digital models layer by layer, without the need for complex processes such as traditional mold opening and injection molding, greatly shortening the production cycle and reducing the cost of small-batch customization. This makes it possible to customize unique realistic figurines for individuals. In addition, 3D printing technology can achieve very complex geometric shapes, accurately restoring various details in the scanned model, including the character’s posture, clothing folds, and even subtle facial expressions.
In terms of importance, 3D printing technology is the core technology for achieving personalized customization of realistic figurines. By selecting different 3D printing materials, figurines with different textures and strengths can be produced. For example, resin materials can be used to print figurines with rich details and smooth surfaces, while sandstone materials can be used to print figurines with unique textures. More importantly, the application of full-color 3D printing technology makes it possible for the printed realistic figurines to directly present the real colors of the person being scanned, without the need for post-coloring, greatly improving production efficiency and the realism of the final product. For example, Stratasys’ PolyJet technology and 3D Systems’ ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology are commonly used full-color 3D printing technologies that can produce realistic figurines with bright colors and rich details.
In summary, 3D printing technology is the key bridge connecting 3D scanning and the final realistic figurine. Its high precision, high flexibility, and full-color printing capabilities make it possible to produce highly realistic and personalized realistic figurines.
Customization Needs Analysis for Realistic Figurines
Characteristics and Trends of User Demand for Customized Realistic Figurines
User demand for customized realistic figurines shows the following characteristics and trends:
- Personalization and Uniqueness: The main motivation for users to purchase realistic figurines is their uniqueness and personalization. They hope to own a mini model that is exactly the same as themselves or their loved ones, to commemorate specific moments, express emotions, or satisfy personal hobbies.
- High Realism: Users have high requirements for the realism of realistic figurines, hoping that the figurines can restore the appearance characteristics of the person being scanned as much as possible, including facial contours, hairstyle, skin color, and even subtle expressions.
- Emotional Value: Many users purchase realistic figurines to commemorate important life events, such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, etc., or as special gifts for relatives and friends, so the figurines carry rich emotional value.
- Diverse Customization Options: Users hope to be able to choose different figurine sizes, materials, clothing, poses, and accessories according to their preferences and needs. For example, they can choose specific clothing styles, hold specific props, or pose in specific ways.
- Convenient Service Experience: With the development of technology, users are increasingly inclined towards convenient customization service experiences. For example, uploading photos or videos online to complete 3D model customization, as well as convenient online ordering and delivery services.
- Integration with AI Technology: The recently emerging trend of AI action figures also indicates that user demand for using AI technology to generate personalized images and transform them into physical figurines may increase.
In summary, user demand for customized realistic figurines shows the characteristics of pursuing individuality, high realism, emotional value, diverse choices, and convenient experience. The future trend will be more intelligent, personalized, and convenient customization services.
Conclusion and Future Trends
The application of full-body 3D scanners in the realistic figurine industry is in a rapid development stage. The continuous growth of the market size, the continuous advancement of technology, and the increasing demand of users for personalization are jointly promoting the prosperity of this field. Structured light and photogrammetry are the current mainstream 3D scanning technologies, each with its own advantages, and they are constantly integrating in practical applications. With the maturity of technology and the reduction of costs, automated and high-efficiency full-body 3D scanning solutions will become more popular.
Although there are still technical challenges in scanning reflective surfaces, hair, and other details, the industry has seen the emergence of various effective solutions. 3D printing technology, as a key link in post-production, and its full-color printing capability are crucial for achieving high realism in realistic figurines.
In the future, with the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and AR/VR, the degree of customization and user experience of realistic figurines will be further improved. For example, AI can assist users in more refined customization, and AR/VR technology can provide more intuitive previews and interactive experiences. At the same time, the development of online platforms and e-commerce will make customized realistic figurine services more convenient and popular.
For companies hoping to enter or deepen their involvement in this market, investing in high-quality 3D scanning and printing equipment, developing user-friendly customization platforms, and paying attention to the application of emerging technologies in the field of personalized customization will be key to seizing future market opportunities. The realistic figurine industry is expected to usher in broader development prospects driven by both technological innovation and consumer demand.
Key Value Tables
Table 1: Major Realistic Figurine 3D Scanning Service Providers
| Company Name | Service Type | Main Technology | Starting Price (USD) | Main Customization Options |
| Artec 3D (Shapify) | Full-body 3D scanning booth, model generation, printing | Structured Light | 39000 (equipment) + model fee | Size, pose |
| Twindom | Full-body 3D scanning system, model generation, printing | Hybrid Scanning | Inquiry Required | Size, pose, clothing, accessories |
| 3DFascination | Full-body 3D scanning, model generation, printing | Optical Scanning | Inquiry Required | Size, pose, clothing, accessories |
| My3dSelfie | Photo/scan-based customization, printing | Photogrammetry/Scanning | 169 | Size, clothing (standard/custom), pose, accessories |
| Fab Figures | Highly customized dolls, head sculpts | 3D Sculpting, 3D Printing | Inquiry Required | Size, clothing, pose, accessories, facial expressions |
| HeroBuilders | Personalized customized action figures | 3D Printing, Traditional Craftsmanship | Inquiry Required | Size, clothing, pose, accessories, voice function |
| 3dfy.me | Full-body 3D scanning, modeling, printing | Photogrammetry | 189 (NZD) | Size, material |
| CanvasChamp | Photo-based customization, printing | 3D Printing | 169 | Size, single/couple |
Table 2: Comparison of 3D Scanning Technologies
| Technology Name | Accuracy | Speed | Cost | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitable for Realistic Figurines |
| Structured Light Scanning | High | Fast | Medium | High precision, rich details, relatively simple operation | High requirement for stillness, difficult to scan dark/reflective surfaces | Suitable |
| Photogrammetry | Medium | Fast | Low | Low cost, rich color information, wide range of applicable sizes | Accuracy may be slightly lower than structured light, high requirements for lighting/photo quality | Suitable |
Table 3: Commonly Used 3D Printing Materials for Realistic Figurines
| Material Name | Main Characteristics | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitable for Realistic Figurines |
| PLA | Easy to print, various colors, low cost | Convenient printing, many color choices, affordable price | Poor heat resistance, general strength | Can be used for prototypes |
| PETG | High strength, good toughness, good heat resistance | Good strength and toughness, good weather resistance | May experience stringing during printing | Can be used for some accessories |
| Resin | High precision, smooth surface, strong detail expression | Strong detail expression, high surface quality | Relatively high cost, some resins are toxic | Suitable |
| Sandstone | Finished product has unique sandstone texture and color | Natural color, no need for post-coloring | Brittle material, easy to break, poor water resistance | Suitable |
| VeroVivid (Resin) | Full-color printing, bright colors, excellent detail visualization | Realistic colors, rich details, adjustable transparency | High cost, high requirements for printing equipment | Suitable |