Hello, I have Rhino, the previous version, but have never used it. I see there is a new version that does 3D. I would like to scan an object, say, a key fob, to be able to work on it in Rhino (not sure what that means or how to do it). Can anyone suggest a scanning method, that will be accurate to 3/1000ths of an inch? (Again not sure what I am talking about here!). I imagine scanners are very expensive. Are there services for this in most cities?
I will appreciate any help!
If you are in the US, I highly suggest you send the object to be scanned to Mimic3D in LA to be scanned.
Hello Sky G, thank you so much for the suggestion. I think I have found somewhere where I live that will be good. I then need to make a CAD file, as I understand it. As you can tell this is not my field! I am a musician, wanting to do some things for my instruments.
May I ask, can Rhino make a CAD file? if, so, can a musician that is chewing gum do it, do you think, with a little effort? Or does this require a major software learning commitment? I have no parallel experience with this sort of software.
And do I need the new 3D version?
thanks you very much for your help!
All of this depends on how complicated the original object is, how much of the detail you need to capture, whether your goal is to modify the existing object or simply recreate it, and what your mfg process will be downstream - CNC, 3d print etc.
What version of Rhino do you have?
-Kevin
Take a bunch of good photos and use photogrammetry. Then measure it a bunch with calipers. And then fix everything in Rhino. Then 3D print a prototype, then modify things from there, and reprint, rinse repeat until done 
Once you have something in Rhino, and then you 3D print a sample, all you have to do is play more in Rhino! 