Wysiwyg 3D started when 3D scanning was barely known, and one industry alone couldn’t keep us going. We had to switch between engine parts and movie sets just to pay the bills and support our growing team. Today, we serve a wide range of fields—from engineering to entertainment—and that variety shapes who we are. Here’s the story behind why Wysiwyg 3D works the way it does, and where we’re headed next.
Shane working from the garage of the family home in 2003, where he scanned an Aussie Legends Racing Cars with a Faro Arm 3D scanner.
Why We’re Built Different 🔧
As the first laser scanning company in Australia, we couldn’t pick a niche.
When we kicked off Wysiwyg 3D, 3D scanning was this mysterious tech that most people hadn’t even heard of. And get this… of all the companies that started back then, there’s only one other still around today. Wild, right?
But being a pioneer meant we faced a pretty real challenge. I had a mortgage, three kids, and a team counting on me. Focusing on just one industry? That wouldn’t cut it. There simply wasn’t enough work in any single field to keep the lights on and food on the table. In the very beginning I was working with my brother-in-law as an electrical tradies labourer for 3 or 4 days and scanning the rest of the week – including weekends out of our purpose built garage..
So what’d we do? We invested in different types of scanners and learned to pivot. Fast. One day we’re scanning people and movie sets, the next we’re working on engine parts and buildings. It kept us on our toes, that’s for sure! 😅
How We Organise the Chaos 📊
Over time, we’ve figured out how to group what we do by what different industries actually need:
Engineering
This covers everything from aerospace to automotive to mining. These folks want geometry only, super high accuracy, high detail scans that they’ll use for design work. No colour needed, just precise measurements they can trust.
Manufacturing
Think reverse engineering and quality control. Companies need to recreate parts or compare them back to original 3D cad designs. We’re talking very high-accuracy scanning for manufacturing and inspection purposes.
Entertainment
Here’s where things get colourful! 🎨 We scan sculptures, art pieces, jewellery, heritage items, movie props, TV commercials, wigs, people for prosthetic and makeup effects… you name it. Accuracy matters less here than capturing all that beautiful detail in colour but the details are still important. Plus, they often work with different file types and software programs compared to our manufacturing or engineering clients.
What’s Next for Us? 🚀
The truth is, we can’t market to just one type of client because we genuinely serve so many different people. Sure, that makes things tricky sometimes. But you know what? The variety keeps things interesting for us, and it means we’ve got the experience and equipment to handle whatever you throw our way.
Keep an eye on our socials and our website to see how our business may change in the near future. You can also sign up to our newsletter to receive more specific news relevant to your sector.
We’re figuring out the best path forward, and we’d love to hear from you.
What brings you here? What kind of scanning project are you thinking about? Drop us a line and let’s chat! 💬
Early days with Shane on set, 3D scanning for Queensland Movie Studios for Chronicles of Narnia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Wysiwyg 3D work across so many different industries?
When we started, 3D scanning was brand new, and no single industry had enough work to sustain our business. We had to diversify to survive, buying different scanners that could handle everything from engine parts to movie sets. That early necessity became our strength, and now we genuinely enjoy the variety.
What’s the difference between scanning for engineering versus entertainment?
Engineering clients typically need geometry-only scans with very high accuracy for design and manufacturing work. Entertainment projects focus more on capturing colour and visual detail for things like movies, art, and heritage preservation. The accuracy requirements are different, and they often use different software programs too.
How long has Wysiwyg 3D been in the scanning business?
Wysiwyg 3d started in 2003 but I’ve been scanning since 1999.
We were one of the first laser scanning companies to start operations, back when almost nobody knew what 3D scanning was. Of all the companies that started around that time, only one other is still in business today. Our longevity comes from our ability to adapt and serve multiple industries.
What types of scanners does Wysiwyg 3D use?
We invested in different types of scanners specifically so we could jump between industries and project types. This means we can handle everything from precise geometry scanning for manufacturing inspection to full-colour capture for entertainment and heritage work. The right tool for each job matters.
Is Wysiwyg 3D planning to specialise in one industry?
Not really! While specialising might make certain things easier, the variety of work keeps things interesting for our team and means we’ve built deep expertise across multiple fields. We’re working on better ways to communicate what we do, but we’re committed to serving the full range of clients who need our help.
Shane
Early Adopter, Founder and Managing Director of Wysiwyg 3D
