Plain old white light can be used for scanning purposes, too. A Canadian startup has developed a system that requires nothing more than a digital camera hooked up to a laptop and a common presentation projector. The projector spits a series of computer-generated black-and-white patterns against an object, and software algorithms analyze the deformation of those patterns to construct a three-dimensional model.

Orthotics manufacturers like it because they can measure feet without having to bother with specialized equipment or messy casts. In the image shown here, color indicates depth, allowing easy visualization of arch shape.