In a method for the determination of the 3D coordinates of an object (2), a pattern is projected (1) onto the object (2) and the pattern reflected by the object (2) is taken (3) and evaluated. To improve such a method, a pattern is projected onto a first part region (12) of the object (2) in a first step and the pattern reflected by this part region (12) of the object (2) is taken. In a second step, a pattern is projected onto a second part region of the object (2) and the pattern reflected by this part region of the object (2) is taken. The patterns taken are evaluated.