Which AESUB 3D Scanning Spray Is Right For You?

Factor 1 Effective Scan Time

The amount of time you have to complete your scan while the coating remains at its optimal performance.

Effective scan time for AESUB vanishing sprays refers to the period during which the coating remains fully visible and stable on the entire sprayed surface before it begins to evaporate. During this time, the coating provides an even, consistent layer for the 3D scanner, allowing for accurate and reliable data capture. Once the effective scan time has passed, the coating begins to fade or disappear.

Factor 2 Sublimation Time

The time it takes for the coating to completely disappear on its own.

The white coating doesn’t disappear immediately once the effective scan time has passed. Part of the coating will begin to evaporate while some areas remain covered.

Sublimation time for AESUB refers to how long it takes for the applied coating to fully evaporate (disappear) from the surface without leaving any residue. AESUB vanishing sprays are designed to sublimate, meaning the white coating gradually transitions from a solid to a gas over time.

Factor 3 Layer Thickness

The coating that forms on the surface after spraying (in micrometers / µm).

The best 3D scanning spray is enough to improve scanning, but thin enough to keep measurements accurate. The coating needs to be thick enough to create a uniform, matte surface for the 3D scanner to block out the challenging surface, but not so thick that it obscures details.

Different AESUB sprays are designed to achieve the right layer thickness for their intended use—small, delicate parts need thinner layers (e.g., AESUB Diamond or Yellow), while larger objects can tolerate slightly thicker coatings (e.g., AESUB Green).

In short, layer thickness balances scan visibility with dimensional accuracy, ensuring the coating improves scan quality without affecting measurements.

It’s important not to overspray the part, as a coating that’s too thick can affect scan accuracy and take longer to fully disappear.

Our team set out to see how using a 3D scanning spray affects scan results. While AESUB Blue adds a very thin layer (about 8–15 microns) to the object’s surface, it creates a consistent coating that helps the scanner accurately capture the part’s geometry. Without applying the spray, challenging surfaces can lead to poor or incomplete scan data.

Environmental Conditions Will Influence Effective Scan Time and Sublimation Time

Effective scan time and sublimation time are dependent on how much you spray and environmental factors. If you spray a thick layer, it will take longer for the coating to disappear. Hotter weather will make the spray sublimate at a quicker speed than a normal temperature room of 21°C / 70°F. To slow down the rate of sublimation, use cooler temperatures. For more information, please read our user guide.

Factor 4 Object Size

Dimensions of the object you are planning to scan (XS, S, M, L, XL).

The size of the object helps determine which AESUB spray to use, how easily and evenly the coating can be applied, and which application method is the most practical.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb for choosing 3D scanning sprays based on object size.

1. Extra Small Parts (XS - jewelry like ring) and Delicate Small Parts (S - small turbine or coin)

   

   

   • If you are looking to scan small objects and don’t want to coat the object too thick, sprays like AESUB Diamond and AESUB Yellow would be your best options.
   • They provide a thin, precise coating without obscuring fine details.
   • If you prefer a ready-to-use solution, AESUB Diamond would be a good choice because it comes in an aerosol can.
   • AESUB Yellow comes in a liquid solution and requires an airbrush for application (not included). It provides the thinnest coating of all AESUB 3D scanning sprays and is designed for metrology use for high scan accuracy.
   • AESUB Blue, AESUB Violet, or AESUB Orange can also be used for small parts. Keep in mind that their layer is thicker than AESUB Yellow or Diamond. On the plus side, the coating lasts longer.

   

   

   Our team uses AESUB Orange so often that we’ve chosen it as our go-to 3D scanning spray for many of our projects! We used Orange to scan a tiny, clear gemstone using the Artec Micro II.

   Here’s how they compare

   	AESUB Yellow (requires airbrush application)	AESUB Diamond (aerosol can)
   Scan Time	2-4 hours	10 mins
   Sublimation Time	4-6 hours	15-30 mins
   Layer Thickness	0.5-1 µm	2 µm

2. Normal Parts: Small (S) to Medium Parts (M)

   • For normal small to medium-sized parts, AESUB Blue, Violet, or Orange are ideal choices.
   • All available as handheld aerosol cans for quick and even coverage.

   Here’s how they compare

   	AESUB Blue (aerosol can)	AESUB Violet (aerosol can)	AESUB Orange (aerosol can)
   Scan Time	1-2 hours	2-6 hours	4-8 hours
   Sublimation Time	4 hours	24 hours	12-24 hours
   Layer Thickness	8-15 µm	4-8 µm	2–6 µm

3. Large (L) and Extra Large Parts (XL)

   • AESUB Green and AESUB Violet (also available in liquid bulk format) are designed for 3D scanning large objects, typically ones that are too big to coat evenly with aerosol sprays or that require a more controlled application.
   • The vanishing liquid is applied with a spray gun for uniform coverage on larger, hard-to-reach surfaces.

   

   Here’s how they compare

   	AESUB Green (liquid format)	AESUB Violet (liquid format)
   Scan Time	1-2 hours	2-6 hours
   Sublimation Time	6 hours	24 hours
   Layer Thickness	10-20 µm	4-8 µm

Factor 5 No Color vs. Color Scans

Decide whether you only need the object’s surface geometry or if capturing color information is also important for your project.

The AESUB vanishing sprays previously mentioned in this section create a white coating, which covers the object’s original color during scanning. On the other hand, AESUB Transparent is a self-vanishing dulling spray that reduces reflections and glare while still allowing you to capture full color. It also evaporates over time. No cleaning or wiping is required after scanning.

AESUB Transparent is also well-suited for photography applications where minimizing reflections and glare is important. It creates a subtle, non-obstructive coating on the object’s surface, helping to diffuse unwanted light while preserving the object’s visual appearance and fine details. This makes it easier to capture clean, evenly lit images without distracting hotspots or harsh reflections.

Here is a video that further demonstrates the capabilities of AESUB Transparent.