Creates a 3D image through a triangulation mechanism. A laser dot or line is projected onto an object from a handheld device, and a sensor (typically a chargecoupled device, CCD, or position‐sensitive device) measures the distance to the surface. Data are collected in relation to an internal coordinate system, and therefore to collect data where the scanner is in motion, the position of the scanner must be determined. The position can be determined by the scanner using reference features on the surface being scanned or by using an external tracking method.