1. A method comprising: performing a one-dimensional (1D) point scan of a three-dimensional (3D) object along a scanning line using a light source, wherein the point scan projects a sequence of light spots on a surface of the 3D object; selecting a row of pixels in an image sensor, wherein the image sensor has a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) array forming an image plane, and wherein the row of pixels forms an epipolar line of the scanning line on the image plane; detecting each light spot using a corresponding pixel in the row of pixels; generating a pixel-specific output in response to a pixel-specific detection of a corresponding light spot in the sequence of light spots; and determining a distance to the corresponding light spot on the surface of the 3D object based at least on the pixel-specific output and on a scan angle used by the light source for projecting the corresponding light spot.