CREALITY

1. Introduction

The CR-Scan Ferret is a revolutionary 3D scanner offering versatility and convenience. It can be used with a mobile app or desktop software to produce high-quality 3D models under various lighting conditions. Equipped with a proprietary depth calculation chip, it reduces computational load on mobile phones and PCs, resulting in a smoother scanning experience. Its compact and portable design makes it ideal for on-the-go use. The scanner can quickly capture large and medium-sized objects like furniture, as well as detailed figurines with high precision. It features a high-resolution RGB camera for color scanning, and the resulting models are ready for 3D printing without further processing.

Key features include:

• ?️ Compact Design
• ⚙️ Dual Mode Scanning
• ? ASIC Chipset
• ? Full Color Scanning
• ? Easy Operation
• ☀️ Outdoor Scanning

2. Specification

3. Packing List

The package includes:

• CR-Scan Ferret
• Snail gimbal
• Allen wrench
• Mobile phone clip
• USB cable for computer
• Portable bag
• Rechargeable handle
• USB cable for smartphone & rechargeable handle

4. Hardware Connection

Follow these steps to connect the hardware:

1. Connect the scanner, mobile phone, and handle correctly. Ensure cables D1, D2, and D3 are connected to the scanner, mobile phone, and handle respectively.
2. The CR-Scan Ferret can be powered directly by a computer via USB 3.0 or higher. USB 2.0 ports may not provide sufficient operating current.

5. Software Installation

System Requirements:

• Windows: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), Memory: ≥8GB, Computer: USB3.0, 8th gen i5 CPU or higher.
• Android: Android 10.0, Memory: ≥8GB, Smartphone: USB3.0.

Download the software and firmware from: https://www.creality.com/pages/download-cr-scan-ferret

The software is represented by a stylized 'S' icon.

Recommended Smartphones

6. Workflows

The general workflow for using the CR-Scan Ferret is as follows:

1. Start: Launch Creality Scan software.
2. Connect: Connect the CR-Scan Ferret scanner.
3. New Scan: Adjust scan configuration settings.
4. Preview: Aim at the scanning target, adjust brightness in the IR Camera (default auto), and move the scanner to the optimal "Perfect" distance.
5. Scan: Start or pause scanning.
6. Optimization: Optimize the scanned point cloud.
7. Mesh: Meshlize and generate the model.
8. Color Mapping: Texture the model.
9. Complete: Export or share the model.

7. Guide for Scanning

Scan objects

Objects are categorized by dimensions for optimal scanning:

• Large objects: >50cm
• Medium objects: 20cm-50cm
• Small objects: <20cm
• Face
• Body

Feature type

Geometry: Ideal for objects with intricate geometric details and irregular shapes. May not be suitable for objects with many planes or circles. Recommended for plaster portraits and handmade items.

Texture: Best for objects with rich texture features and intricate color patterns. May be less effective on solid colors or repetitive textures. Recommended for objects with wood texture. Texture mode is useful when markers can be affixed or drawn on the object's surface.

Not Recommended Objects: Highly reflective surfaces (metal, plated), translucent or transparent objects (glass cups, glasses) should be dusted (e.g., with liquid foundation, flour) before scanning. Avoid scanning objects that deform easily (e.g., soft bags, animals).

Optimization mode

• Fast: Faster scanning with lower accuracy.
• Hi-Quality: Higher precision data capture, but with longer processing times for point cloud fusion, mesh, and texture operations.

Color map

• Map/Color: The final model includes a color map (exportable in .PLY and .OBJ formats).
• No map/No Color: The final model is solid color, capturing only shape information.

8. Guide for APP

Home Page

The home page displays a list of previously scanned models, showing the results of optimization and subsequent steps.

Top Bar Functions

• ⚙️ Setting Button: Navigates to the settings page for scanner information and support.
• ? Page Entry Search Box: Used to find models by name.
• ☰ List Order Switch Button: Sorts the model list by latest or earliest.

Bottom Bar Functions

• Device connection function: Displays connection status (red for disconnected, green for connected). Clicking shows the device's serial number.
• Configuration Function: Accesses and displays current scanning configuration options.
• ▶️ Start Scanning Function: Initiates scanning with selected parameters. Ensure the scanner is connected and has sufficient storage.

Preview

The preview phase displays RGB/depth images, IR images, and real-time point clouds for alignment and quality assessment. The RGB/depth and IR preview windows show a 3x3 grid for field-of-view alignment. It's recommended to keep the scanning target centered.

The IR preview window allows manual or automatic exposure adjustment. Red areas in the IR window indicate overexposure (reduce exposure), and blue areas indicate underexposure (increase exposure). Optimal depth capture leads to better point cloud quality.

The RGB/depth preview window also supports RGB exposure adjustment. Depth images can be superimposed on RGB images by adjusting translucency.

Scanning

During the scanning phase, a 3D rendering area displays the point cloud. The point cloud is divided into the current frame and the scanned point cloud. Red in the current frame indicates poor quality, while green indicates successful tracking and registration. The scanned point cloud is displayed using a quality spectrum mode.

Orange indicates poor quality requiring rescan; green indicates good quality for model generation.

The 3D rendering area supports interaction during pause:

• ? Single finger rotation
• ?️ Two-finger press and move (with haptic feedback)
• ? Two-finger zoom in/out

Area Descriptions:

• Area A: Displays the current process stage. Click 'Next' to proceed. The Home button returns to the main page.
• Area B: Displays the preview area, including IR and RGB/depth windows.
• ⚪ Area C: Indicates device connection status (non-clickable). Provides guidance and distance reminders.
• Area D: Control area with functions like:
• ▶️ / ⏸️: Start/Pause scanning.
• ?: Refresh button to clear point cloud and restart.
• ?: Reset object rendering scale.
• ?: Display mode switch (solid color, color, quality spectrum).
• ? / ⬜: Planar-clipped state (removes background plane) / Planar state (keeps background plane).

Other Scanning Suggestions:

• Judge scan sufficiency by checking if the target is complete and performing multi-angle scans.
• Scan until the quality map turns green.
• Click 'Next' for point cloud optimization.

Optimization

This stage optimizes scanned point clouds. Point cloud optimization and subsequent steps automatically save results. The 3D rendering area displays the model. The display mode supports solid color.

? Share button: Share scanning results after optimization.

Mesh Setting Options:

• HoleFilling: Fills small holes with neighboring data for model completeness.
• Closure: Encloses the meshed model.
• Format: Save in STL, OBJ, or PLY formats.

Mesh

This stage demonstrates the model after meshing. If 'No Color' was selected, this is the final step. The meshed model can be saved in STL, OBJ, or PLY formats.

Color Mapping

The final step is generating and displaying the mapped model with color textures.

9. Guide for PC Software

Guide Popup

The software provides guidance through text (? Guide Instruction) and video (▶️ Guide Video).

Confirm "Device is connected"

After launching Creality Scan, confirm the device connection status. A successful connection displays a confirmation message. The device UI shows main menus for 'Device', 'Scan', and 'Process'. System settings allow language selection and access to the manual.

Setting before scan

Once connected, the device is ready to scan. Navigate to the Project setting page to configure scan parameters:

• Name: Set a name for the model.
• Folder Path: Specify the save location.
• Project Settings: Configure object size, accuracy, feature type (Geometry/Texture), and color mapping (Color/No Color).
• Import an external model: Import .PLY, .OBJ, or .STL files.
• ➕ New scan: Start a new scan.

Preview

After setting options, press 'New scan' to enter the scanning page. The preview window shows distance, RGB camera feed, IR camera feed, and the 3D model preview. Maintain the "Perfect" distance for optimal scanning.

• ? RGB Camera: Displays the captured image. Aids in positioning. Brightness is adjustable.
• IR Camera: Displays the IR image. Brightness is adjustable to avoid over/underexposure (indicated by red/blue).
• Scanning distance: Adjust to the "Perfect" zone for accuracy.
• 3D Model Preview Window: Shows captured 3D data. Can be rotated, panned, and zoomed.
• ? Clip Plane: Removes background planes, useful for scanning small objects on a table.
• ✔️ Complete: Stops scanning and processes point clouds.

Function Buttons

• ▶️ / ⏸️: Start/Pause scanning.
• ⏹️: Stop scanning and proceed to Process UI.
• ?️: Delete all stored point clouds.
• ?️: Delete the entire project.
• Status Bar: Displays device connection and project settings.

Adjust Brightness in Depth Camera

Use the Sun icon ☀️ to adjust brightness. Try Auto first, then switch to Manual to prevent lockups. Red areas indicate overexposure, blue areas indicate underexposure.

Start or Pause Scanning

Click ▶️ / ⏸️ to start/pause. Ensure adequate point cloud and "Perfect" distance. Move slowly. Scanning can be resumed after pausing.

Clip Plane

Click the ? icon to clip the plane, which can interfere with scanning. Recommended for small targets on tables.

Complete Scanning

Click ✔️ to display the quality map. Scan until the entire map turns green. Click 'Complete' and 'Yes' to finish scanning and proceed to data processing.

Fuse Point Cloud

Fuse scanned point clouds to create a better model. Automatic mode uses default parameters for optimization. Manual mode allows configuration of point cloud resolution (dot pitch); smaller dot pitch yields better detail.

Process UI

The Process UI allows further data processing after scanning.

Function Buttons

• ✨ One-Click-Processing: Completes all processing steps automatically.
• ☁️ Point cloud optimization: Integrates point clouds for high-quality models. Supports automatic and manual parameter configuration.
• ? Meshing: Converts point cloud data into triangles. Supports automatic and manual parameter configuration. If 'No Color' was selected, the model includes only point cloud and mesh data. If 'Color' was selected, color information is included.
• ?️ Texturing: Generates a UV map for coloring the mesh model.
• ? Clear scanning: Clears all scanned data to start a new scan.
• ⬇️ Export: Exports the completed 3D model in PLY, OBJ, or STL formats.

Meshing

Convert point cloud data into a mesh. Automatic mode uses default parameters; manual mode allows custom configuration of faces, denoising, hole filling, and closure. Higher denoising levels result in a smoother mesh. Hole filling and closure options ensure model completeness and geometric integrity.

Texturing

The Texture function is applicable only when the "Color" option is selected during project setup.

10. Tips

1. Scan targets: Suitable objects include faces, parts, sculptures, cultural relics, garage kits, toys, and shoes. Unsuitable objects include very large items (walls, rooms), micro parts, jewelry, and ductile objects. Transparent, metal, and highly reflective objects require special treatment.
2. Target size: Typical size is 5cm×5cm×5cm to 150cm×150cm×150cm. Experienced users can attempt larger or smaller objects.
3. Scan distance: Move the scanner at the "perfect" distance to your target as prompted.
4. Scan background: Minimize extraneous objects in the depth camera's view, focusing only on the target.
5. Tracking lost: If tracking is lost, aim the scanner at the scanned part of the target as prompted.
6. Exposure: Adjust exposure to avoid red (overexposure) or blue (underexposure) parts in the IR image for better model quality.
7. High quality model: Use Hi-Quality mode, move/rotate slowly, maintain perfect distance, adjust exposure, scan until the quality map is green, and set a smaller resolution during point cloud optimization.

11. FAQs

1. Powering: The scanner can be powered directly by a USB 3.0 Type-C port on a mobile phone, but this consumes significant power. Using the charging handle is recommended for stable power.
2. Avoiding tracking loss: Return the scanner to its previous correct position and hold for 2 seconds to retrieve the image.
3. Scanning frame rate: While theoretically 30fps, the actual rate depends on the processing power of the connected device (phone or PC). Devices with higher calculation power yield optimal results.
4. System configuration: For mobile, use smartphones with USB 3.0 and ≥8GB RAM (e.g., Samsung S22, S23). For computers, use i5 or above with USB 3.0.
5. USB2.0 support: The scanner supports USB2.0, but the frame rate and accuracy will be limited by the lower data transmission rate.
6. Charging handle duration: Supports over two hours of continuous scanning. Typically supports 20-30 small/medium objects per 5-minute scan.
7. Restoring connection: Reconnect the USB cable to the rechargeable battery handle.
8. Android phone disconnection: Some Android systems automatically turn off OTG connections after a period of inactivity (e.g., 10 minutes). Re-enable the OTG switch in the Android system settings to reconnect.
9. Scanning effect influences: Thin/narrow models, holes, reflective/transparent parts, or other objects in the preview can affect scanning. Remove obstacles and rescan.
10. Frame rate limitation: Low computer/mobile phone configuration or using USB 2.0 can limit frame rate. USB 3.0 is recommended.
11. "Few point clouds" warning: Adjust exposure time manually if it's too long or too short.
12. USB2.0 detected with USB3.0: This can happen if USB 3.0 is plugged in slowly. Ensure all pins are connected by plugging in quickly.
13. "Invalid data" warning: Check scan object settings. Using the "large objects" option for medium objects on a turntable can cause this. Rescan using the "medium objects" option, aim at prominent texture, or slow down scanning speed.