Extracting an embedded database from a physical object

A system for extracting a data embedded in a three dimensional (3D) object, the system comprising:

• a computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to:
• identify a 3D scanning device capable of extracting data embedded as physical representations inside the 3D object based on a type of the physical representations;
• cause the identified 3D scanning device to scan a 3D object and extract data embedded as physical representations inside the 3D object, the physical representations being invisible from outside the 3D object;
• determine at least a location or a size of each of a plurality of physical representations;
• determine a value for each of the plurality of physical representations based on its location, size or both;
• include each value in the extracted data;
• identify, from the extracted data, instructions for causing the processing device to perform an action that uses the data, wherein the action comprises identifying building instructions for printing a copy of the 3D object;
• perform the action to identify the building instructions;
• and
• cause a 3D printer to use the building instructions to print the copy of the 3D object.