HP Inc.

HP

HP

HP's Sprout all-in-one was a behemoth when it launched, and its second iteration, the Sprout Pro G2, wasn't any different. Both PCs made 3D scanning easier by incorporating a down-facing camera atop the display and a Touch Mat that almost acts as a second display. To match their power, both Sprout PCs are large and expensive, priced at $3,750 and higher. At CES, HP introduced the $599 Z 3D Camera, which basically takes the 3D camera technology from the original devices and packages it as a PC accessory rather than a full, all-in-one device.

The Z 3D Camera looks identical to the top portion of the original Sprout PCs, and even though it's called Z, the camera is shaped more like an L. It sticks to the top of your PC's monitor with its included magnetic badge so it can capture and digitize objects in front of your PC. Since the Z is an accessory, HP scaled the technology down in the sense that the Z 3D Camera doesn't come with the Touch Mat that the Sprout PCs do, nor does it include the original's light projector. Otherwise, it's the same technology and includes a 14.6MP 2D camera and a 3D depth-sensing camera featuring an IR diffractive optical element projector.

In the short demo I received, the differences in using the Z 3D Camera and the Sprout PC were minimal. Placing an object or a document on the scan mat and using the accompanying software will prompt the 3D camera to scan, capture, and digitize whatever is beneath it. It supports 3D SLAM tracking in real time and can be used in VR applications. The camera also maintains albedo, displacement, and normal map that are render-ready.

The Z 3D Camera uses HP Worktools like the Sprout PC, which is the company's suite of programs that let you capture, edit, and control 2D and 3D images. In addition to VR applications, the 3D images taken by the Z 3D Camera can be inserted into Powerpoint presentations and other updated Windows programs that support 3D images.

The biggest difference lies in not having the Touch Mat when using the Z 3D Camera—with a regular Sprout PC, the Touch Mat acts like a second touchscreen, allowing you to select options, move digitized images around in your workspace, and more. It essentially provides more digital space, which is convenient but not entirely necessary even when scanning 2D and 3D images.

The included light projector in Sprout PCs improves the quickness and quality of capturing and deciphering 3D images. However, the Z 3D Camera didn't take that much longer to scan an object in my demo, and its palm rejection (which lets it capture the object you're holding and not your hands) was solid. A well-lit workspace is the best place to use the Z 3D Camera or a Sprout, regardless of whether or not that light comes from a projector.

A $3,000 PC like the Sprout Pro G2 is a huge investment, particularly when the customer may only be purchasing it for the camera's capabilities. HP has made a smart decision by turning that technology into an accessory with the Z 3D Camera—users now have access to those 2D and 3D scanning features without investing thousands of dollars into a new PC. However, you still need a powerful PC to use the Z 3D Camera most effectively.

HP recommends using the camera with a PC that has the following specs:

Intel Core i7-4709S or higher

16GB RAM

Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M or better graphics (you will need an Nvidia GPU to do any 3D rendering)

The HP Z 3D Camera is compatible with HP Z and E monitors. Since it's fully compatible with Windows 10, the Z should work on other brands of monitors as well. But HP notes that the company has not tested the device on other monitors.

The Z 3D Camera will be available starting in March for $599.

Listing image by HP Inc.