How can I do a "Laser Scan" of an object effect?

[Nadav_Meiden]

Hello, beginner here.

Im trying to do an effect of a laser scanning a face, but so far I haven't found any tutorials and documentation about that.

Is it possible, and if so how do I make it?

[lee_griggs]

You could use a thin area light or a spot light with a large cone angle and a thin lens radius. You can use atmosphere volume too.

Can you post a photo of exactly the effect that you want?

[Nadav_Meiden]

@Lee Griggs

Something like this:

[lee_griggs]

Did it work?

[904ae427]

If you don't need the laser to show in the atmosphere: Create a thin, horizontal line texture / use a thin, clamped ramp texture and connect it to a planar projection node (with a placement node) that covers the object. Then connect this into the value of the Emission layer in the Standard Surface material. Animate accordingly either by moving the projection node object / the UV and turn UV tiling off to ensure it doesn't repeat.

[904ae427]

Additionally: Lee's method will also work with a Gobo filter I believe - may make positioning the light a light more user friendly.