Scanning History into 3D: My Journey Across the UK with the Creality Otter

3D scanning UK statues has become my way of preserving public history one model at a time. Using the Creality CR-Scan Otter, I travel across the country capturing detailed digital replicas of outdoor sculptures. From Liverpool to North Wales, these 3D scans help protect our cultural heritage while sharing it with the world.

Tools I Use for 3D Scanning UK Statues

My main tool is the Creality CR-Scan Otter, one of the most powerful portable 3D scanners available today. I pair it with the wireless bridge so I can scan without cables getting in the way. This setup gives me the freedom to move around each statue and capture every angle. I typically use Large, Geometry, High Quality modes for the best balance of speed and detail.

You can read more about the scanner on Creality’s official website.

Once I complete a scan, I process the data using Creality Scan , then clean up the mesh, optimize it for 3D printing, and store it in my personal archive. Some of these models are also shared online for others to explore and print.

Why I Started 3D Scanning UK Statues

Public statues are more than decorations. They are reminders of people, events, and stories that shaped our towns and cities. Unfortunately, these statues can weather, erode, or be damaged over time.

By scanning them, I’m helping to digitally preserve these works of art in high resolution. Each scan is a tribute to the sculptor’s work and a way for future generations to experience these pieces, even if the original is lost.

I also love the reactions I get from people when I explain what I’m doing. Kids, tourists, even passers-by often stop and ask questions. It turns into a great conversation about technology, history, and creativity.

What I’ve Scanned So Far

Here’s the growing list of statues I’ve scanned, starting in my hometown of Liverpool and branching out across the North West and Wales:

Liverpool

• Paul McCartney – Pier Head
• Brian Epstein – Whitechapel
• Cilla Black – Mathew Street
• Captain Walker – Albert Dock
• Bessie Braddock – Lime Street Station
• Bob Paisley – Anfield Stadium
• The Beatles (two out of four so far) – Royal Albert Dock
• Chance Meeting (Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock) – Lime Street
• Legacy (The Crossing) – Pier Head
• Paddington Bear Bench – Liverpool ONE
• Eleanor Rigby – Stanley Street
• John Moores & Brothers – Liverpool University

New Brighton and Wallasey

• Mermaid Statue – Marine Point, New Brighton
• Guide Dog Memorial – New Brighton Promenade
• Mother Redcap – Wallasey Village

North Wales

• Horse Statue – Brickfield Pond, Rhyl
• Viking Statues – Rhuddlan

Burscough

• Airman Memorial – Opposite Booths supermarket

Worcester

• Vesta Tilley – Cathedral Square
• Ann Hathaway – Cathedral Square
• King Charles II – Near Worcester Cathedral

Albert Dock (Liverpool, additional)

• Horse Statue – Albert Dock
• Legacy Crossing Pedestrian Sculpture – Pier Head

What Happens After the Scan

After capturing the statue, I take time to research its history, the artist behind it, and why it was placed where it is. I include this info with the final scan on my website, creating a digital archive that blends art, history, and technology.

This is more than just collecting models. It’s a living project that highlights stories from our streets and honours the legacy of those remembered in public sculpture.

Want to See the Models?

Visit my site 3D Scanner Man where I share my 3D scan journey, blog updates, and select downloadable models for printing.

You can also follow along on Twitter and Facebook to see where I’m scanning next.

If you’ve ever thought about 3D scanning UK statues yourself, the Creality Otter is an excellent place to start. It handles outdoor lighting conditions well and picks up even subtle details in stone or bronze textures.

What’s Next for 3D Scanning UK Statues

I’m continuing to expand this project by scanning more public statues across the UK. My goal is to create an open-access visual archive using modern 3D technology and to inspire others to explore scanning in their own communities.

Preserving the Past, One Scan at a Time

Whether it’s a bronze tribute to a music legend or a forgotten figure on a quiet coastal path, I scan it because every statue tells a story. And with the help of 3D technology, those stories can now live on in a new way.