Creating custom parts for your vehicle can be a game-changer, ensuring perfect fitment and unique aesthetics. At carcodepro.com, we’re always exploring innovative methods to enhance vehicle customization. One technique that has significantly streamlined our design process is using 3D scanning. Whether you’re aiming for bespoke body kits or custom interior components, scanning your car to create parts offers unparalleled precision and opens up a world of DIY possibilities.
Traditionally, designing custom car parts involved manual measurements and often resulted in iterative adjustments to achieve the desired fit. However, with advancements in 3D scanning technology, particularly with smartphone applications, capturing the exact contours of your vehicle is now more accessible than ever. This digital blueprint becomes the foundation for designing parts that integrate seamlessly with your car’s existing structure.
Our experience at carcodepro.com has shown us the immense value of 3D scanning. We routinely employ it to design custom components for project cars, guaranteeing not only precise fit but also aesthetically pleasing and functional outcomes. While professional-grade scanners offer exceptional accuracy, the convenience and improving quality of smartphone scanning are making it a go-to method for many enthusiasts and professionals alike.
For everyday use and in our workshops, we initially utilized the Trnio app on an iPhone 11. Leveraging ARKIT mode, Trnio provided a user-friendly interface for capturing scans, reviewing them, and exporting them directly to design software like Fusion360. The minimal investment in the app yielded significant returns in terms of design efficiency and accuracy.
Although Trnio is no longer available for iOS, the landscape of mobile 3D scanning apps is continually evolving. We’ve begun experimenting with RealityScan and are eager to share our findings in future updates. The accessibility of these tools is democratizing the process of custom car part creation, putting the power of precise digital design into the hands of enthusiasts and smaller workshops.
As we continue to explore the best tools for scanning cars to make parts, we invite you to share your experiences. What mobile 3D scanning apps have you used? Whether for Apple iOS, Android, or other platforms, your insights can help build a valuable resource for the car modification community. Let us know your recommendations – both the successes and the challenges – so we can collectively navigate this exciting intersection of technology and automotive customization.
Explore these 3D Scanning App Options:
Cross-Platform (Android & iOS):
Android Specific:
iOS Specific (Legacy):
- Trnio – NOTE: Discontinued in mid-2023 but mentioned for historical context.
