Review of Revopoint MetroX
In a recent Creative Bloq review, Paul Hatton evaluated the Revopoint MetroX, a structured blue light scanning system, against notoriously difficult conditions: black and shiny surfaces. Hatton found the MetroX to be well-built, user-friendly, and capable of producing solid results across various materials. He praised its automated turntable and efficient workflow but noted that even with advanced technology, reflective surfaces still required scanning spray for the best results—a reminder that even modern scanners struggle with optical limitations.
Three Scanning Modes, One Structured Blue Light System
The MetroX uses structured blue light scanning in all three of its selectable modes, offering flexibility across different object types and surface conditions. Blue light has a narrower wavelength than white light, making it less sensitive to ambient lighting and better suited for high-accuracy scanning in real-world environments.
- Cross Line mode deploys 14 crossed blue laser lines to rapidly capture flat or featureless areas, especially on shiny or dark objects. Purported without scanning spray (though Hatton found in his work that spray improved scans considerably) and operates at up to 800,000 points per second.
- Parallel Line mode uses 7 high-powered parallel lines to capture detailed features, complex edges, and fine surface geometry.
- Full-field Blue Structured Light mode projects 62 lines across the object’s surface, enabling high-speed, marker-free scanning at up to 7 million points per second. This mode is ideal for complex or highly textured objects.
Each mode serves a unique purpose, allowing users to adapt their scanning strategy based on the physical characteristics of the target.
When and Why Scanning Spray Still Matters
Despite the MetroX’s powerful structured blue light scanning capabilities, Hatton emphasized that scanning spray remains useful for highly reflective or low-contrast surfaces. These sprays help reduce glare, improve surface visibility, and produce cleaner, more complete meshes. While not always necessary, spray remains an essential tool for certain scan environments and materials.
Structured Blue Light Scanning in Today’s 3D Market
The Revopoint MetroX represents a growing category of mid-range structured blue light scanners, competing with devices like Artec Eva, EinScan, and Polyga Compact systems. This technology is rapidly being adopted across industries such as manufacturing, product design, cultural heritage, and virtual production, where portable and precise 3D scanning is critical. MetroX strikes a balance between affordability and advanced functionality, making it a versatile option for professionals and tech-savvy creators alike.
If you’re not familiar with structured light technology, check out our post: Does iPhone Face ID Use LiDAR?.
