GratKit S1 3D Scanner – Comprehensive Info Thread

1. Product Overview

The GratKit S1 is a dual-mode DLP structured-light 3D scanner that combines the flexibility of handheld operation with the precision of automated desktop scanning. Lock it on the turntable and it becomes a high-precision automated scanner; pick it up and it transforms into a free-form handheld scanner for larger objects.

Key Specifications:

Technology — DLP Structured Light
Accuracy — 0.04 mm
Scan Speed — 10 fps
Cameras — 2.2MP HD Mono + 24MP Color
Desktop Scan Volume — 50×50×50mm ~ 200×200×200mm
Handheld Scan Volume — 200×200×200mm ~ 1m³
Working Distance — 300–600 mm
Scan FOV (@400mm) — 200×170 mm
Output Formats — OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY, 3MF
Connectivity — USB Type-C (Power + Data)

Use Cases: Reverse engineering, 3D printing modeling, game design, digital art, automotive parts, and more.

⚠️ Note: The S1 uses white light projection and is not recommended for facial scanning. It requires external power via USB-C and cannot operate completely cable-free.

2. Product Appearance & Accessories

What's in the Box:

GratKit S1 scanner body (with detachable handle)
Motorized turntable (magnetic base)
USB Type-C cable (power + data)
Calibration board
Reflective marker dots (for marker-based tracking in handheld mode)
Feature point tracking soft cloth
Sample test model
User Manual

3. User Manual

Current Version: Please refer to the latest official release

GratKit S1 3D Scanner User Manual V1

1MB

1. Quick Workflow:

Calibration: Follow the on-screen guide in the software using the included calibration card

2. Select Mode:

Desktop Mode: Mount the S1 on the turntable → place object → click scan → automated multi-angle capture
Handheld Mode: Detach the scanner from the base and scan freely around the object

3. Select Tracking Method:

Feature Tracking: Best for objects with rich geometric detail
Marker Tracking: Best for smooth, textureless surfaces — apply reflective marker dots and keep at least 5–6 dots visible in frame

4. Export:

Choose OBJ, STL, PLY, or 3MF

4. Companion Software

Latest Version: V1.2.5 2026/8/20
Log: Improved UI and set the default language to the same as the system.

WINDOW 7/8/8.1/10/11. Recommend to the 10 or higher
Explore Scanner V1.2.5
MAC OS
Explore Scanner V1.2.5 MAC

Key Features

Real-time Preview — Point cloud generates live during scanning — scan and verify simultaneously
AI Background Removal — Automatically detects and removes background, no manual masking needed
Multi-mode Registration — Turntable, marker, feature, and manual fine-tuning registration
Post-processing Tools — Hole filling, mesh simplification, smoothing
One-click Undo — Roll back any operation instantly, only in handled scan mode
Export Formats — OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY, 3MF

GratKit S1 3D Scanner – Technical FAQ

Q1: Does the scanner rely on proprietary software? Can it work offline?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: Our software does not require any verification codes, account login, or online activation — it works right out of the box. Even if we stop updating the software in the future, you can continue to use it permanently without any usage limitations. The scanner and software are fully functional offline.

Source: GratKit's response to Ulrik Olesen (7 months ago)

Q2: Why is the S1 not recommended for scanning people or faces?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: There are two main reasons:

Safety consideration: The S1 uses visible light (white light) projection. During scanning, there is a possibility of direct eye exposure. Although the light source is FDA-certified, individual tolerance varies, so we take a conservative approach and do not recommend scanning the head or face area.
Scanning performance: Dark hair and non-reflective dark objects do not scan well due to the physical principles of structured light. If the hair is not dark in color, scanning is still possible.

Additional clarification: Scanning the human body is not completely impossible. Areas other than the head (torso, limbs, etc.) can produce good results, provided that eye protection measures are taken (such as wearing dark glasses) and dark hair areas are avoided. Another challenge is body movement during scanning, which can cause stitching drift — but we can still achieve decent results for body scanning, excluding the head.

Source: GratKit's response to Fred B. (7 months ago)

Q3: Will the edge smoothing / detail loss issue be fixed before shipping?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. This is a result of a deliberate design balance between hardware performance and software processing:

To ensure stable and continuous tracking in handheld mode, we opted for a wider camera field of view, which does lead to a slight reduction in spatial resolution.
The point cloud fusion algorithm applies a certain degree of smoothing to handle alignment errors and noise in complex scanning scenarios — this helps produce a visually coherent and stable 3D surface.

We fully understand this behavior and are actively refining our algorithms. The improvements will be delivered via a software update before the product ships. If there are any changes to the timeline, we will inform all backers accordingly.

Source: GratKit's responses to Powerdrainer (7 months ago, two replies)

Q4: How does the S1 compare to Creality Raptor Pro and Revopoint MIRACO PRO?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

vs Creality Raptor Pro:

Raptor Pro

Laser + Infrared
Laser mode fast, needs markers
No turntable
High-performance PC required
Professional learning curve

GratKit S1

DLP Structured Light
Surface scanning, auto-stitching
Synced turntable included
Low PC requirements
Beginner-friendly

vs Revopoint MIRACO PRO:

MIRACO PRO

Infrared Light
Turntable included but cannot sync — no hands-free operation
Wireless, no PC required
Learning curve: between professional and beginner

GratKit S1

DLP Structured Light
Synced turntable — fully automated scanning
Requires PC connection
Simple and user-friendly

Bottom line: The S1 offers a balanced combination of desktop automated scanning and handheld flexibility at an accessible price point. On extremely challenging materials (highly reflective or pure black objects), laser-based solutions may perform more stably. However, we have not compromised on core accuracy — instead, we've reduced per-unit margins to make the scanner more accessible and to gather real-world user feedback for future iterations.

Source: GratKit's response to Ulrik Olesen (6 months ago) and another comparative response (7 months ago)

Q5: Are there any real-world accuracy disadvantages compared to competitors?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: In most everyday use cases, the GratKit S1 has no accuracy disadvantages. This is rooted in our core DLP structured light technology:

vs laser multi-line scanning: Accuracy is on par — both are high-precision. The difference lies in implementation: laser is line-based, while DLP is surface-based. Surface scanning is faster and can automatically perform point cloud stitching based on features, without relying heavily on marker dots.
vs speckle structured light: DLP structured light offers higher accuracy. Speckle structured light's advantage is scanning speed, but DLP is superior in absolute accuracy and point cloud quality.

The real difference lies in material adaptability across different object types — not in accuracy itself.

Source: GratKit's response to Ulrik Olesen (6 months ago)

Q6: Can the scanner be mounted on a tripod?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: Tripod mounting accessories are not currently available for purchase. However, if there is sufficient demand from users in the future, we will create a 3D printable file and make it available for free download on our official website.

Source: GratKit's response to mina (7 months ago)

Q7: The software interface is in Chinese by default. How can I switch it to English?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: We apologize for this issue. We have already reported it to our engineering team, and the default language will be set to English in a future update.

Source: GratKit's response to Todd Seaborg (2 days ago)

Q8: My scanner does not recognize the turntable. What should I do?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: We suggest you check the following:

Make sure the USB cable is not excessively bent — straighten it if necessary.
Confirm that the scanner is powered on (check the power button).

If the issue persists, please contact us directly at: support@gratkit.com

Source: GratKit's response to Todd Seaborg (2 days ago)

Q9: Does the software require an internet connection?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: No, all software functions are fully offline and do not require an internet connection. The scanning software is bundled with the scanner and does not require any online verification. Future updates will be delivered via PC and can be installed free of charge.

Source: GratKit's response (6 months ago, to a now-canceled backer's question)

Q10: Are there any additional accessories available for purchase?

▼ Answer (click to expand)

A: We are currently in internal discussions about this. If we confirm the addition of extra accessory options, we will notify all backers. Some users have already suggested adding 3D printing filaments and additional marker dot kits as add-ons.

Source: GratKit's responses to David Baquero and Powerdrainer (6 months ago)

📌 Issue Status Summary

Detail loss on sharp edges / smoothing artifacts — ✅ Being optimized; software fix planned before shipping
Software default language is Chinese — ✅ Reported; default will be changed to English
Turntable not recognized — ⚠️ Check cable and power; contact support if issue persists
Tripod mounting accessory — 📋 Under consideration; 3D printable file may be offered based on demand
Offline usage — ✅ Confirmed — fully offline-capable
Software permanent usability — ✅ No accounts, no verification, no usage limits — works forever

🔗 Contact Support

If you encounter any technical issues not covered in this FAQ, please reach out to the official support team:

📧 Email: support@gratkit.com