Creality Sermoon S1 review: This pro-grade 3D scanner produced impressive results, but my tests revealed a huge learning curve

The Creality Sermoon S1 is a handheld 3D scanner, and initial impressions of the quality and design are good. The scanner arrives in a hard carry case, which instantly reinforces the pro rather than enthusiast design. Inside, the scanner and all the accessories are neatly organised, and the glass calibration plate is tucked into a pocket in the lid section, along with two sets of different-sized marker sheets.

The scanner’s size and build quality make it extremely portable, especially with that hard case for transport. As I got started, connecting up the scanner with the Y-cable that provides both power and the data connection to the computer, I started to get why there’s a wireless option available for an additional cost. That cable is a little annoying during setup and in use.

The cable is also USB-A and requires an adapter to USB-C, which is in the box, and can be used with many modern laptops, including my MacBook Pro. This is a minor issue generally, but on a couple of occasions, as the scanner was moved around the object, that adapter plug did prove to be something of a weak point.

I soon found using a lazy Susan, usually reserved for product videos, was a good way to rotate the object while the scan was taking place, then all I had to do was adjust the scanner height and angle as needed.

Before the scanning process can start, calibration of the scanner using the glass calibration plate and software must be performed, and this is all nicely guided step by step. Essentially, this sees you align the scanner with the calibration plate in a variety of different positions; that process does take some time, and should really be carried out at the start of each session.

After the initial setup is complete, it’s then just a case of familiarising yourself with the scanner and software.

Through the scanning process, there are several modes and two light options. In the Blue light option, which is the one that I focused on in this review due to the greater surface detail that it enables, there are three modes. Single line, 7 parallel lines, and 34 cross lines and these took a while to discover exactly what they did and why.

While the device is well designed, the literature that comes with it is minimal, and it took quite a bit of research before I started to get the result that I wanted. The other light option is NIR (Near Infra Red), which can be used when markers cannot be used.

As an overview of the Blue light scanning modes for most objects, 34 cross lines gives a fast option for scanning. You can then switch to 7 lines for more surface detail, while if you want the finest detail, including scanning into holes then the single-line mode is the best option. In practice, combining all three across a single object gives the best overall result, and the software handles the alignment and merging.

The biggest impact on the quality of the scan came from object preparation, positioning, and lighting. Placing objects on glass blocks on a lazy susan elevates the object above the scan surface, making it dramatically easier to remove the desktop from the final mesh within the software.

Adding scanning marker blocks around the object helps to anchor it in the software's tracking and helps to eliminate the echo and fracturing effects that I was getting in early scanning attempts. Then, placing reflective markers further boosted the quality. Once that preparation process was completed, the scan quality quickly improved, and the 3D prints that resulted were impressive.

The Sarmoon S1 is an excellent handheld 3D scanner, as long as you put in the work, you will get fantastic results, but you do need time to practice and skill the techniques that are required.

Creality Sermoon S1: Price and Availability

The Creality Sermoon S1 is available direct from Creality US for $2699, and from Creality UK for £2499. It's also available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

The Scan Bridge wireless handle is sold separately, but it’s a worthwhile addition if you are using the scanner professionally. Creality offers a two-year warranty as standard, and the Creality Scan 4 software is a free download for Windows and macOS.

Creality Sermoon S1: Design

Over the years, I have used several 3D scanners, and as you’ll note from the lack of 3D scanner reviews on Techradar Pro, I had until now seen them more as a gimmick than useful, at the enthusiast level at least. Compared to those past models, the Sermoon S1 is more expensive, but then it does actually work if you’re willing to put the time in.

The first thing that separates the Sermoon S1 from others is the build quality, which is superb, with it arriving in a hard carry case to keep it protected and all together when stored. The scanner, while handheld, is quite large at 225mm×53mm×76mm and weighs in at 508g, which can get quite weighty when in use.

On the scanning side of the device, there are four lenses used for scanning, and this makes it relatively easy to manoeuvre around objects, although you do have to contend with the connecting cable.

The Y-cable is used for data and power and is inserted into the base, then secured with two screws that help to hold it in position. The scanner is then essentially tethered to the computer; the computer end uses USB-A rather than USB-C, so there is an adapter to USB-C for newer machines that is included in the box.

That adapter junction is a bit of a weak point, as I found that if it works loose mid-scan, you lose the session. If you are using USB-A ports, this is less of an issue, and if you use a desktop, there’s usually a USB-A port available.

Ideally, the scanner would be wireless, and with the Scan Bridge wireless handle available, it can be, which gets over the slight issue of the connection, but also enables far more freedom without the cable getting in the way. I unfortunately didn’t get to use this during the review.

Alongside the scanner are a range of essential accessories, including a glass calibration plate and marker sheets, with the hard case keeping everything together.

During the test, one of the most useful accessories I discovered was scanning blocks. These blocks were an addition that I made and 3D-printed, adding the reflective markers to the surface and placing them around the object to be scanned.

If there were any additions to the package that I would like to see, it would be a selection of marker blocks and pillars, or at least 3D printer files that could be downloaded.

• Design: 4/5

Creality Sermoon S1: Features

The triple light system is what sets the Sermoon S1 apart from simpler handheld scanners, and in practice, while it takes a while to get your head around the use, it’s actually quite straightforward.

The 34 cross-line mode is for general scanning and covers medium to large objects quickly, making it good for establishing the overall geometry of the scan. Dropping to 7 parallel lines adds surface detail, and you can speed up the scanning process with the 90fps scan speed.

The single blue laser line can then be used for more accuracy when it comes to deep holes, tight pockets, and fine surface detail. Running all three modes on a single object is where the S1's quality really started to stand out, but getting to that point took some experimentation.

The other option, alongside Bluelight, is NIR (Near Infra Red) structured light, and this gives the scanner an additional ability to scan large, less geometrically complex objects and markerless scanning of organic shapes, but the blue laser tended to deliver better results. In this test, I’ve focused on the blue light option as it proved to be the best for most everyday objects, particularly anything with defined edges or fine surface texture.

The key to using either of the light sources is the object surface itself. Shiny, reflective, or transparent surfaces caused problems for both light modes: a glazed ceramic jug, for instance, caused the scan to break apart in the software, as did a polished metal component.

Lighting also had more of an effect than I initially anticipated, too much, and the lasers wash out, too little, and the sensors struggle, especially with black objects. A large, flat Godox LED panel provided diffused light and made a noticeable difference to scan quality.

I found that the other major factor in scan quality was the use of markers. These are essentially small stick-on reflective dots that help align the scan in the software. These are usually attached to the object that needs to be scanned, but I found that making some 3D-printed blocks and surrounding the subjects with them improved scan quality, alongside placing the dots on the object to be scanned.

The workflow takes a few sessions to learn and includes scanning, processing, cutting away unwanted surfaces and artefacts, filling holes, and merging multiple scans.

As I become more familiar with the software, one feature that really came into its own was the ability to blend two separate scans to create a complete object, covering both the main form of the object and the underside hidden by the first pass.

Once everything is scanned and processed, the final file can be exported as an STL or other format, ready to be imported directly into Creality Print.

• Features: 4.5/5

Creality Sermoon S1: Performance

I discovered that the Sermoon S1's performance depends on your skill when scanning, which comes solely through practice and the preparation of the objects and surroundings.

My first attempts were not great, with fractured geometry, echo artefacts, and holes all over the objects; however, after slowing down and taking things step-by-step to understand why those failures were happening and how to resolve them.

The turning point was developing a consistent workflow with a step-by-step preparation process. This consisted of placing the object on glass blocks elevated above the surface of a lazy Susan (a motorised rotating platform), placing scanning marker blocks around the objects, illuminating with a large flat LED lighting, and then developing a slow scanning motion from low to high around the rotating object that gave the sensor time to build up the model in the software.

Once I’d worked out the process, the quality of the results improved, and, to be honest, they are still improving, as you’ll see from the 3D model prints from the scans. The 34 cross-line mode handled general geometry for objects up to about 6 inches in height, which covered most practical test objects. Above that size, marker coverage and positioning became increasingly important in order to maintain the scanner's alignment across passes and rotations.

After the initial scan was complete, I switched to the 7-line mode, which was able to scan greater surface detail, then switched to the single-line mode, which again increased surface scan accuracy and allowed deeper scanning into holes and pockets in the objects.

During scanning, the object's surface finish was the biggest issue. Matte, mid-tone surfaces scanned well; however, anything glossy, shiny, or metallic required markers and careful lighting to achieve usable results, and transparent objects like glass were effectively unscannable without preparation spray. I quickly learned what would and wouldn't scan, but again, this only came through practice.

Dark and black surfaces needed additional lighting directed into shadow areas, and markers were needed to maintain tracking.

As my technique improved, scan speed and the slow, methodical approach became less of an issue, and whereas early scans would take a few minutes, I was able to significantly reduce scanning time.

The 90fps scanning for the lower line modes means the scanner is receiving plenty of data, and while there’s no doubt that working slowly and methodically produced better results than sweeping over the objects quickly, it was less of a factor than I expected. The only real issue is that, if you move at speed, you always need to keep the tethered cable in mind, as any knock to the object or markers will mean a complete restart.

I also noted that as I crossed from the Mac to the PC, the software processing times were noticeably faster on the PC as the machine's power stepped up, and this is again a major point when scanning: you need everything to be as powerful as possible.

In the software and Creality Scan 4, the scan-blending feature works incredibly well once you work it out, with two options for blending: marker or feature alignment. Being able to scan the main object, flip it, scan the base separately, and merge both into a single complete mesh enables you to easily create a complete geometry of the object.

What was impressive was that the resulting files were clean enough to export directly to Creality Print without needing significant additional work to clean up surfaces and any holes.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Creality Sermoon S1: Final verdict

The Creality Sermoon S1 is an impressive handheld 3D scanner for professionals, as long as you’re prepared to spend time learning how to use it properly. Essentially, with plenty of practice and time to prepare the object and scanning area, you’ll get great results; if not, then it's just pure frustration.

The triple light system, the scan blending capability, and the overall quality of results, once you have worked out the process, will get you the results you would hope for, and for my scans, I’m still working on gaining the sharp surface detail of some objects, which is now down to software adjustments.

On the way to getting decent scans, it can be frustrating. The tethered cable, for instance, caused markers and objects to be knocked over during scans, and as I started the scanning process, I could really see why the wireless handle would be a good idea. This is all part of the steep initial learning curve, which could be avoided with some decent getting-started literature and a practical getting-started guide with tips.

However, once you grasp how to set up, prepare and scan, there are currently no other 3D scanners at this price point that perform anywhere near as well as the Sermoon S1. As I discovered, preparation is everything: make sure you calibrate the scanner, place the object on a rotating surface so it moves rather than the scanner, and place markers around so the scan has something to bind to.

The lighting is incredibly important, especially for darker objects, and the scanning technique, once you’ve practised, all have to come together before the scan results start to match your expectations. Once they do, the Sermoon S1 produces scans that can be used for reverse engineering, product design, 3D print preparation and straight object scanning.

If you’re a professional maker, engineer, archivist, or product designer and you’re willing to spend time learning the scanning process, the S1 is a great option, especially at this price. If you’re expecting a simpler workflow, you'll achieve it once you have gone through the learning process.

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