This screencast demonstrates how you can do a 3D scan of objects using an Xbox 360 Kinect sensor and Skanect, then convert your model for placement in a Minecraft map using binvox and MCEdit.
As impressive and increasingly more available 3D scanning technology is becoming, it’s still a little on the expensive side. This method is by far the cheapest – possibly not as elegant – solution if you’re curious to how 3D scanning works. Chances are you (or someone you know) has an XBox 360 Kinect, but if not, they’re pretty cheap to come by. I was able to pick one up for £35 at my local Computer Exchange store.
In the last week we’ve been using this method to scan kid’s heads in and print them out on an Ultimaker. It’s been pretty awesome, but I also love the possibilities of what you can do with a 3D model once you’ve scanned it in yourself.