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A 3D scanner creates digital three-dimensional models from real-world objects and can be used in everything from game design to prosthetic creation. Depending on its available capacity for detail, a 3D scanner collects data on the object's size, shape, and appearance, which may include texture and color. There are several different ways to collect this data, including contact and non-contact. Contact systems function with a carriage system and articulated arm to map large objects through physical measurements and touch. Non-contact scanners use some form of light, ultrasound, or x-ray to collect the object's data. While the older-generation models tended to be large and cost-prohibitive, new technology is making them more commercially available and portable than ever. A handheld 3D laser scanner typically uses a laser through a triangulation method to measure the object, with data collected and recorded into a computer-aided design (CAD). Depending on the manufacturer, a portable 3D scanner for iPad and other devices may include a range of features, including user-friendly editing and automatic object recognition. Unlike older contact systems, a 3D handheld scanner can map objects of most sizes and shapes, allowing the freedom to move around and optimize settings for both small and large objects.