Radiant Insights Releases 3D Scanning Market Size, Forecast, Analysis Report, 2020

3D scanning market continues rapid growth across multiple industries.

To date, Radiant Insights has published more than 1,600 multi-country market, competitor, customer and sourcing intelligence studies across a wide variety of industries. Most recently, the company published its 3D Scanning Market Size, Forecast, Analysis Report, 2020. 

The 97-page report breaks down the 3D scanning market size into three categories:

  • By Application, including industrial manufacturing, aerospace and defense, healthcare, architecture and engineering, entertainment and media.
  • By Range, including short range, medium range, long range.
  • By Product, including laser scanners, structured light scanners and optical scanners.

Interested parties can purchase a “single user” report for $4,700 or a “multi user” version for $8,000 from the company website. You can also request a sample of the report or view the abstract here. I requested the free sample and was surprised to get over 30 pages of detailed information.

A list of the chapters in the full survey are available in the sample or online and include: “Executive Summary,” “3D Scanning Industry Overview,” “3D Scanning Product Overview,” “3D Scanning Range Overview,” “3D Scanning Application Overview,” “3D Scanning Regional Overview,” “Competitive Landscape” and “Methodology and Scope” as well as a list of tables and figures.

Radiant Insight’s findings predict a 13 percent compound annual growth rate in market size between 2014 and 2020, resulting in an estimated market size exceeding US$4,900 million. The speed and accuracy of 3D scanning are definitely two of the main reasons for the rapid and continued growth of the market.

I’ve done countless facility site surveys and as-built surveys during my career. Until fairly recently, they were always accomplished with tape measures and measuring wheels. Even the introduction of laser tape measures meant you still had to take the measurement (although the laser made the process much quicker and much more accurate) and then sketch that information onto graph paper.

The ability of 3D scanners to quickly capture real world data on an object’s location, shape and even color (depending on the scanner), coupled with the ability to import that data into an accurate 3D digital model, has changed the way architects gather and confirm required measurements and site conditions.

In my opinion, it has also helped to move BIM forward as a proven methodology, especially with projects dealing with existing data.

The report also highlights the high cost of the technology, software, training and implementation as potential factors that may hinder the growth of 3D scanning. As the technology matures though, I think that as with most other technologies, those costs will come down.

This chart shows the projected growth (in millions) for the 3D scanning market by product. (Image courtesy of Radiant Insights.)

This chart shows the projected growth (in millions) for the 3D scanning market by product. (Image courtesy of Radiant Insights.)

Radiant Insights, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a market research and consulting company that has been providing syndicated research studies, customized reports and consulting services since 2013.

According to the company website, its market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights.

For more information, please visit the Radiant Insights website.

About the Author






Jeffrey Heimgartner has more than 20 years of experience in the computer-aided drafting and design field. He manages the Lincoln, Nebraska-based drafting and design firm, Advanced Technical Services. His main responsibilities include managing the CAD team, sales, scheduling and coordinating projects, drafting and design, as well as marketing and all IT functions.

Jeffrey earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Computer Aided Drafting and Design from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. He has a background in farming and construction and has authored many published industry-related articles.