The content creator of Ben Makes Everything has turned an old Creality Ender 3 into a device far beyond its original purpose: a robotic camera rig that also functions as a photogrammetry-based 3D scanner.
This idea came with the printer’s stepper motors, known for their precision. “I knew the Ender 3 had extremely precise motors that could be used for something cinematic,” the maker said to Tom’s Hardware. What started as a way to capture smooth video movements turned into a dual-purpose tool capable of capturing objects for 3D modeling.
As we can see in Ben’s video, the transformation makes use of almost all the Ender 3’s original hardware. The four motors now power different functions: while one rotates a turntable, another tilts the camera, and the remaining two adjust the camera’s position vertically and horizontally. The controller board and screen remain in use as well. According to Ben, much of the frame and practically all of the electronics are integrated into the rig.
The project also celebrates the use of open-source software and its advantages. The Ender 3 runs Marlin firmware, which interprets G-code, conventionally used to direct 3D prints. With a custom Python script, Ben repurposed this same workflow to direct camera movements instead of print paths.
By combining motion control with photogrammetry, the rig can even generate 3D models from images captured around an object. The result in Ben’s video is both practical and cinematic.
It is truly impressive how aging hardware can be revitalized – Ben’s philosophy is seeing what you already have and imagining a different use for it. For makers and tinkerers, this build is not only about the versatility of 3D printing technology, but also about their community’s limitless creativity.
