Scanners versus Photos

[eiler m]

Except that the objects are NOT flat, but are not very thick. As an example I know of one artist that deconstructs flowers and scans them on a flatbed scanner to gather material. These pieces are then taken into Photoshop to build the artwork,

There is an invention in scanners called LIDAR scanners - maybe they can scan 3D objects?

[Manfred M]

There is an invention in scanners called LIDAR scanners - maybe they can scan 3D objects?

My understanding is that these scanners are primarily used to create data for use in a 3D printing process. That is not what Catherine had in mind with her question. She was looking to use a flatbed scanner to scan, rather than photograph objects for a project that she is looking to work on.

I know a number of visual artists that use this technique.