I 3D SCANNED A BLANK SLATE — HERE'S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR DIY BUILDERS

Jun 26

Slate Auto invited me to check out their new electric truck nobody can buy yet and said: go ahead, scan it. So I did — with my Revopoint POP4 3d scanner…

That one yes told me everything I needed to know about Slate.

During the review of the Blank Slate here’s what I found:

The base truck doesn't feel cheap — at all
"You make it" is real, and it’s more than just wraps and bumpers
Letting a solo automotive designer scan the truck pre-launch is Slate betting on DIY

This puts Slate on the exact opposite side of where other manufactures like Honda and BMW are landing with do your own work.

IS THE BLANK SLATE ACTUALLY CHEAP, OR DOES IT JUST LOOK IT?

The Blank Slate starts at $24,950. The name fits — it's the bare starting point, but everything else is up to you.

You always start with a blank canvas.

That means your only paying for exactly what you want.

Compare that to the $28k MSRP of the Ford Maverick. Good luck finding a base model at any Ford dealership. The best you’ll find is the $34k XLT Maverick.

But the $24,950 Blank Slate barebones style doesn't mean cheap.

It has a unibody chassis, the doors feel solid, and the tailgate has real weight.

Nothing about it feels flimsy.

And its size might look tiny from outside, but once you climb in, it's roomy. The seats are comfortable and don’t feel hard.

I figured adding a second row of seats would feel cramped — it doesn't.

For a small truck, the cabin is genuinely spacious.

WHAT "YOU MAKE IT" REALLY MEANS

Slate wasn't joking with their slogan of “We Built It, You Make It”.

They're planning a stack of factory options — bumper grilles, interior panels, even brake light covers — that you choose and install yourself.

Even the square back and fast back are all made for do it yourself installation. But if you don’t want to go that route, they’ll do it for you.

But the pre-made catalog customization isn't what got my attention…

WHY SLATE LET ME 3D SCAN THE BLANK SLATE?

They gave me full access to the Blank Slate that’s not planned to hit any customer until the end of 2026 and gave me the thumbs up to 3d scan it.

prepping to 3d scan the blank slate ev truck with the revopoint pop4

So I pulled out the Revopoint POP4 and got a few clean passes without using any tracking markers.

3d scanning the blank slate interior with the Revopoint POP4

WHY SCANNING CHANGES EVERYTHING FOR DIY BUILDERS

Letting an outsider scan the truck pre-launch isn't small. It's Slate stating loud and clear that they want people designing their own parts too.

3d-scanning a slate with the pop4 3d scanner

That opens the door for anyone with a scanner and CAD skills to make exactly what they want — not a close-enough download, but a part dialed to their exact build.

A 3d scan turns the physical truck into digital geometry.

Once you have that, you're not stuck with the catalog — you can design one-of-a-kind parts that fit just right.

SLATE VS HONDA: TWO OPPOSITE BETS ON 3D PRINTING

Now compare that to how the rest of the industry treats DIY.

Back in 2022, Honda sent takedown notices to Printables and had community 3D files wiped — including parts with no Honda branding, and parts Honda doesn't even sell.

Owners trying to recreate a discontinued or never-offered piece got locked out.

Even BMW is considering making custom bolts to prevent DIY repairs.

But Slate is doing the complete opposite.

And if you want to make your own one-of-a-kind 3D printed parts — for a Slate or literally any other car with a 3d scanner — start here: Beginner's Guide to 3D Scanning Car Parts with the POP4 for 3D Printing.

It’s the exact workflow, from scan to a 3d printed part.

Javier Solis

Hi, I’m Javier. I’ve always loved building things, especially cars. I also have a passion for sharing what I've learned, which is why my wife and I created It’s All About The Build—a place where automotive enthusiasts at any skill level can learn and build together.