Structured Light 3D scanning projecting a known pattern of light or a set of parallel lines onto a surface or object, and using a computer to interpret the distortions of that pattern when recorded by a sensor. The computer can then generate a model of the surface or object by calculating what shape it would have to be to cause the observed distortion. To prevent misinterpretation of the incoming signal, scanning markers are often used to give the scanner known data points to calculate distance and location-- these are often small stickers with reflective surfaces. Scanners of this type will then be able to more accurately calculate the surface distortions between these known anchor points.
Since structured light 3D scanning involves projecting patterns of light onto an object, it is not designed to record surface colors. Structured light 3D scanning is ideal for low-light applications where the projected light becomes even more visible to the recording sensors.