3D prototyping and manufacturing is on the rise with technology becoming ever cheaper to where you can have your own 3D printer in your own home without a huge investment. Copying is not limited to two-dimensional material any longer. Machines are even reaching the stage of self replication. Because of this I wanted to explore self replication and augmentation through 3D scanning and printing.
![3d scanning technology](http://switchandlever.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/113.jpg)
The process was fairly easy: firstly put a few dozen reflective dots all over your face. Secondly sit completely still and expressionless for about an hour while the 3D scanning operator points a big and menacing, vaguely weapon-like, laser device at your face. Eyes closed please!
![3d scan, cleaning up](http://switchandlever.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/213.jpg)
The resulting 3D model is, out of the box, unfortunately not entirely usable. Many holes to be patched and a lot of unnecessary garbage, created by not being able to scan hair, needed to be dealt with. After a somewhat longwinded, manual cleaning-up, process through various software, augmentations in shape of antlers were added.
![Antler head, size comparison](http://switchandlever.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/311.jpg)
Finally the 3D model was sent off to Shapeways where it was printed in high quality plastic and sent back. As unnerving as a clone of yourself, even one heavily altered, is it is equally as interesting as a snapshot in time. It is much like a three-dimensional photograph of a moment which will never come again.