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Best free 3D scanning apps for smartphones in 2022 (iOS/Android)
3D scanning apps (a.k.a. 3D scanner apps) are a fun way to learn about 3D scanning. In this article, we cover the best 3D scanning apps in 2022 and explain how they work.
Last update April 28, 2022
We removed apps that don't exist anymore and added KIRI Engine, a new app that we recently had the opportunity to review.
Table of contents
What is a 3D scanner app?
The 5 best 3D scanning apps for smartphones (free)
Photogrammetry 3D scanning technology
3D scanning using a smartphone (iOS or Android)
KIRI Engine
Qlone
Scandy Pro
Canvas
itSeez3D
3DF Zephyr
3DSizeME
Bevel
Trnio
iPhone 3D scanning apps
Differences between 3D photo and 3D scanning apps
3D Creator by Sony
123D Catch
Trimensional
Seene
Pixelio
3Dignite Scanner
EORA 3D
Conclusion
FAQ
What is a 3D scanner app?
A 3D scanner app or 3D scanning app can turn almost any smartphone into a pocket-sized 3D scanner. Most of these apps are based on photogrammetry, a 3D scanning technology that creates 3D models out of 2D photos. You take pictures of an object from different angles and then the app’s algorithms “stitch” the images together.
With a 3D scanning app, you can 3D scan objects and rooms, and even people (3D body scanning). You can use a 3D scanner app to create 3D objects for augmented reality. It’s also possible to create 3D models for 3D printing.
Here is a scan we did with a 3D scanning application (KIRI Engine):
Of course, 3D scanner apps for smartphones are less accurate than actual 3D scanners. However, they are a great, affordable way to learn more about 3D scanning without investing in complex hardware.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive list of the best 3D scanner apps for iPhone and Android smartphones.
The 5 best 3D scanning apps for smartphones (free)
Expand to see more specs
How do 3D scanning apps work?
Photogrammetry 3D scanning technology
By definition, photogrammetry is “the science of making measurements from photographs”.
Put simply, you take photos of a 3D object, and then the software stitches the pictures together. With this technology, the final 3D scan features color and texture.
3D scanning using a smartphone (iOS or Android)
You need to take several pictures of the object from different angles (usually 360° around the object) with your phone. 3D scanning apps generally provide you with tips and guidance to help you properly take the pictures.
The app then processes these pictures and aligns them together to form a 3D model. The 3D model is then available for export or editing using additional 3D software. In some cases, users may also print their 3D models with a 3D printer.
3D scanner apps overview (iOS and Android)
In this section, we give some more context and information about each 3D scanning app from our selection.
KIRI Engine is a free 3D scanning app for Android and iOS smartphones.
All the processing happens on KIRI’s servers, not your phone, so the only thing you need is a recent smartphone with a decent camera.
The free version of KIRI Engine has a 70-photo limit, which is enough for most simple scans. It’s excellent for makers, students, and anyone who wants to try 3D scanning or do the occasional scan (for small or simple objects).
Read our in-depth KIRI Engine review article for more information about this app.
Contact manufacturer Add to comparison
To use Qlone, you need to print a special black and white paper mat. The mat looks like a QR code and is used by the app as a marker.
Qlone offers a useful guiding system. A grey dome surrounds the object you’re scanning and lets you know which angle you need to capture next. The app generates the results locally (without going through a cloud platform) and almost in real time.
Users can easily share 3D scans via social media apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
Scandy Pro for iOS is a free 3D scanning app that turns your iPhone into a full-color 3D scanner.
Within the app, you can edit your scans with various tools. This app is available for iPhone X/XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.
The 3D scans are easy to export in PLY, OBJ, and STL formats. You can also upload them directly to Sketchfab. In the free version, you get a free mesh save every week. If you need to save more scans, you can purchase single saves or get a subscription for unlimited saves. The Scandy Pro app is free and receives frequent updates.
Scandy developers also offer their Cappy app, which allows you to capture small 3D scans for augmented reality. You can’t export the scans though!
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
This free 3D scanner app is ideal for professionals such as designers, architects, real estate agents, and more.
Canvas is easy to use– you only need to walk around the room while holding up your iPad. The app creates your 3D model in real time, and provides exact floor-plan measurements.
Canvas allows you to save your scans on your iPad or e-mail them to friends or colleagues.
This 3D scanning app also offers a Scan To CAD service for $29.95 per scan.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
This 3D scanner app offers quality 3D scans by processing the photos on its cloud platform. itSeez3D is able to capture people in 3D, a process known as 3D body scanning.
itSeez3D offers unlimited scanning, but exports cost $7 each. The two paid versions of itSeez3D offer a limited amount of free exports and other benefits. The “Scale Up” package at $250/month lets you export up to 1,200 models per year.
This application requires an Occipital Structure Sensor to operate.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
3D scanning with a smartphone: special mentions
3DF Zephyr, a 3D scanning software for PC, enables you to create 3D scans from your smartphone pics. You can then export the 3D scans in common 3D file formats.
3DSizeME is a 3D body scanning app developed by TechMed3D, a Canadian company.
This free 3D scanning app works with a Structure Sensor and targets medical clinics and professionals. The 3DSizeME app provides precise body measurements.
TechMed3D can customize the app to specific professional needs and use cases.
Bevel launched on Kickstarter on July 28th, 2015 and was successfully funded only two weeks later. Bevel, a small dongle-like device, officially started shipping in April 2017 after almost 2 years of development. The app hasn’t received any updates since late 2017 but is still available.
Trnio, developed in 2013, is one of the first 3D scanning apps to be released. This app used to be free but is now priced at $4.99. It is only available for iOS.
iPhone 3D scanning apps
The iPhone TrueDepth sensor has made it possible to develop a variety of selfie 3D scanning apps. Some interesting iPhone 3D scanning apps include:
- Bellus3D: the app itself is free, but you need to pay in order to export your scans.
For three days of unlimited 3D scan exports, the price is $7.99. For more accurate 3D scans, users may opt for the Bellus3D Face Camera add-on (see on Amazon). - Heges: like Bellus3D, the app is free to download. However, the in-app option to export 3D scans costs $2.99.
- 3D Scanner Pro: this iPhone 3D scanning app by Laan Labs targets professional use cases (real estate, architecture, etc.).
What is 3D photo or spatial photography?
Spatial photography is a hybrid between capturing a video and taking photographs. 3D photos combine the perspective of a panoramic photo and the 3D features of a video.
Differences between 3D photo and 3D scanning apps
3D photos are similar to 3D scans, at least in the way they are seen, but they are still both different:
- 3D photos can only be stored and accessed through a specific viewing app
- Spatial photography photos can’t be 3D printed
- 3D scans can be edited
- You can’t export 3D photos to external software such as Sketchfab
Discontinued 3D scanner apps
A number of 3D scan apps have come and gone.
We list them here so you know what’s been going on!
3D Creator by Sony
The “3D Creator” 3D scanning app by Sony is no longer available on the Play Store. It seems to have been discontinued for a while.
123D Catch
123D Catch, which was once the most famous 3D scanning mobile app, was discontinued in April 2017. 123D Catch was compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones.
Trimensional
Although Trimensional is still available on the App Store, it hasn’t been updated since late 2014.
Seene
Seene is a 3D scanning app for smartphones that has been acquired by Snapchat.
Pixelio
PIXELIO is a portable turntable that uses 123D catch, a 3D scanning app that was discontinued in April 2017. The creators of PIXELIO have yet to deliver on their promise.
3Dignite Scanner
This app was supposed to let you export 3D scans to the VR world (and to Minecraft).
However, the company seems to be inactive since 2017.
EORA 3D
EORA 3D is an Australian Kickstarter project that launched in October 2015. Their website has disappeared and they are no longer providing support for their product.
Conclusion
In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of 3D scanning apps for smartphones. The market is still too small to create a ranking or leave out certain 3D scanning apps.
These apps and their accessories are able to create decent 3D models. However, they don’t offer the high quality that actual 3D scanners do. 3D scanning apps are a great solution for beginners, hobbyists and even professionals that don’t require much precision.
FAQ
Can 3D printers scan objects?
3D printers can scan objects if they are in a 2-in-1 printer scanner combo. Very few of these machines exist.
How do 3D scanners work?
3D scanners capture 3D data of a given space or object. To do so, the scanner can use a laser, structured light, a photo camera, or a touch probe.
What is the best 3D laser scanner?
The best 3D laser scanner is the one that best fits your needs.
Is there an app to create 3D models?
There are various apps available to create 3D models, as seen in this article. You can create a model by 3D scanning an object with your phone. You can also find thousands of pre-made models on STL file websites.
LiDAR & 3D Scanner for iPhone & Android
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LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry made easy.
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Polycam is the world’s most popular 3D scanning app for iOS, web and Android. We believe that 3D capture is for everyone, so we made it easy. Now you can scan the world around you with your mobile device, DSLR camera, or drone to get beautiful, accurate 3D models.
Captures are helpful in every single professional 3D workflow. You can use them in floor plans, architectural renderings, VFX and filmmaking, 3D art, scene building and more. Join the growing worldwide community today and try Polycam for free.
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LiDAR Scanning
With the LiDAR sensor on Pro iOS devices you can scan the world around you in stunning 3D.
LiDAR Scanning
LiDAR scanning is the most fun and helpful feature of newer, pro-model iOS devices. Never before has 3D scanning been possible on a mobile device.
Polycam’s free LiDAR scanning pipeline lets you capture an entire home in 3D in minutes.
It’s the best LiDAR scanning app for contractors, interior designers, and architects.
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Photogrammetry
Use Photo Mode on your device or on the web to get instant, accurate 3D models of absolutely anything.
Photogrammetry
Photo Mode turns every iPhone and Android device into the start of a powerful photogrammetry pipeline. You can use it to capture your world in incredible detail.
Choose Photo Mode if you want to get high quality 3D models in minutes, and publish them to our Explore feed to share with our community across the globe. Use models for scene building, game development, VFX and more.
From the Polycam web app, you can upload images captured on any device, including your professional camera or drone.
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Discover free 3D models in the explore feed.
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You’ve never seen a 3D model collection like this before. Browse millions of 3D models and download them for free in Polycam Explore.
All captures are stylistically consistent, and can instantly be used in 3D art and VFX projects. If you can’t scan an object yourself, it probably exists in Polyworld. Create albums and collect 3D models for fun or curate models for specific projects. Whatever your use case, the Polycam Explore feed is full of the largest variety of high quality captures generated by our very own users.
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We believe some very cool things are around the corner in AR/VR. With Polycam, you can create AR videos by blending captures into the environment around you.
It’s the easiest way to wow friends, clients, and potential buyers. AR is great as a tool for e-commerce. You can scan your products and visualize them in 3D, with real-world dimensions.
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Drone Mapping
Polycam makes it easy to turn drone footage into expansive 3D models. Upload your keyframed drone images on Polycam Web and get a capture back in minutes.
Other drone-mapping services can cost $100/month. Polycam is over ten times cheaper, and much easier to use. It’s perfect for drone pilots who want to create 3D captures from in-flight footage, but don’t want to break the bank or spend hours learning new software.
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Feel free to reach out with any questions, feedback or ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.
3D Live Scanner for Android
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Do you call an AR compatible mobile phone your own and want to do something fun or creative with it, all for free? Then try 3D Live Scanner available on Google Play.
This app is a versatile 3D scanner for interiors, exteriors and faces. nine0003
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Do-it-yourself 3d scanner from a smartphone. Increased user interactivity
3D scanning apps (a.k.a. 3D scanner apps) are a fun way to learn about 3D scanning. In this article we cover the best 3D scanning apps in 2019 and explain how it works. We also keep track of discontinued apps and we have a special section for 3D photo apps.
What are the best 3D scanner apps for iOS and Android?
A 3D scanner app can turn almost any smartphone into a pocket-sized 3D scanner nine0232 . 3D scanning apps are based on photogrammetry, a that creates 3D models out of 2D photos.
You take pictures of an object from different angles and then a software “stitches” the images together. This technology allows you to turn your smartphone into a 3D scanner.
With a 3D scanning app, you can 3D scan objects, rooms, and can even be used for . You can use a 3D scanner app to create 3D objects for . It's also possible to create .
Of course, 3D scanner apps for smartphones are less accurate than actual 3D scanners. However, they are a great, affordable way to without investing in complex hardware.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive list of the best 3D scanner apps for iPhone and Android smartphones . We also include the best 3D scanning apps for iPad.
The best 3D scanning apps for smartphones (free)
| Application | Country | Price | Operating System nine0253 | Extra hardware needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DSizeME | CanadaFree | iOS | Yes ($379) | |
| 3D Creator | Sweden | Free | Android | No |
| United States | Free | iOS (iPads only) | Yes ($379) | |
| Capture: 3D Scan Anything | United States | Free | iOS (iPhone X) | No |
| Russia | Free | iOS (iPads only) | Yes ($379) | |
| Israel | Free | iOS/Android | No | |
| Scandy Pro | United States | Free | iOS (iPhone X) | No |
| Hungary | Free nine0266 | Android | No |
Our table shows our selection of the best 3D scanning mobile apps for iOS and/or Android devices.
They are listed by alphabetical order.
How do 3D scanning apps work?
Photogrammetry 3D scanning technology
3D scanner apps overview (iOS and Android)
Below we provide more insights on each 3D app from the list.
We divided the best 3D scanning apps into three categories nine0232 :
- 3D scanner apps that don’t require any hardware in addition to the smartphone
- 3D scanning apps that do require extra hardware
- and 3D scanner apps for iPad
You can download these 3D apps from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android) depending on your operating system.
Scann3D tutorial and interface.
Credit : Scann3D
Free 3D scanner apps not requiring extra hardware
These 3D scanner apps are free and do not require any external hardware.
To use Qlone, you need to print a special black and white paper mat .
The mat looks like a QR code and is used by the app as a marker.
Qlone offers a useful guiding system . A gray dome surrounds the object you're scanning and lets you know which angle you need to capture next. The app generates the results locally (without going through a cloud platform) and almost in real time .
Users can easily share 3D scans via social media apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp . Exports to Sketchfab or Shapeways cost $0.99 per 3D scan.
Scandy Pro
- Operating system : iOS
- Price : Free
- App Store rating : 4.2/5
- Country : United States
Scandy Pro for iOS is a free 3D scanning app that turns your iPhone into a full-color 3D scanner. Within the app, you can edit your scans with various tools . This app is available for iPhone X/XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.
The 3D scans are easy to export in PLY, OBJ, and STL formats.
You can also upload them directly to Sketchfab. In the free version, you get a free mesh save every week . If you need to save more scans, you can purchase single saves or get a subscription for unlimited saves. The Scandy Pro app is free and receives frequent updates .
Scandy developers also offer their Cappy app, which allows you to capture small 3D scans for . You can't export the scans though! nine0003
Scann3D requires you to take about 20 to 30 photos of the object you wish to 3D scan. The photos must overlap and be taken in a continuous circle around the object. 3D models made with Scann3D are compatible with Sketchfab.
Scann3D boasts fast processing time thanks to the instant reconstruction feature. This means that the uses your phone's processor rather than a web-based cloud service. It may cause your battery to drain quickly .
Sony 3D Creator
- Operating system : Android
- Price : Free
- Google Play rating : 4.
2/5 - Country : Sweden
3D Creator is Sony's take at smartphone 3D scanning. This app used to be exclusive to Sony XPERIA smartphones. It is now compatible with all Android 8.0 and up devices.
With this app, you can easily 3D scan yourself thanks to selfie mode nine0232 .
Capture: 3D Scan Anything
- Operating system : iOS
- Price : Free
- App store rating : 4.2/5
- Country : United States
This app is completely free to download and lets you export your scans for free, too. Export formats include PLY and OBJ. You can also send them via your social media accounts or use the web viewer to see your scans. nine0003
This app is only available for iPhones with a TrueDepth camera.
Free 3D scanning app requiring extra hardware
Although this 3D scanner app is free, you need to purchase extra hardware. The most popular are the Structure Sensor by Occipital and the 3D Systems iSense .
3DSizeME is a 3D body scanning app developed by TechMed3D, a Canadian company. This free 3D scanning app works with a Structure Sensor and targets nine0232 medical clinics and professionals . The 3DSizeME app provides precise body measurements.
TechMed3D can customize the app to specific professional needs and use cases.
iPad 3D scanner apps
This free 3D scanner app is ideal for professionals such as designers, architects, real estate agents , and more.
Canvas is easy to use– you only need to walk around the room while holding up your iPad. T he app creates your nine0232 3D model in real time , and provides exact floor-plan measurements. Canvas allows you to save your scans on your iPad or email them to friends or colleagues. This 3D scanning app also offers a Scan To for $29.95 per scan.
This 3D scanner app offers quality 3D scans by processing the photos on its cloud platform.
itSeez3D is able to capture people in 3D , a process known as .
itSeez3D offers unlimited scanning, but exports cost $7 each nine0232 . The two paid versions of itSeez3D offer a limited amount of free exports and other benefits. The “Scale Up” package at $250/month lets you export up to 1,200 models per year.
This application requires an Occipital Structure Sensor to operate ($379, available on Amazon ).
3D scanning with a smartphone: special mentions
3DF Zephyr
A 3D scanning software for PC, enables you to create 3D scans from your smartphone pictures nine0232 . You can then export the 3D scans in common 3D file formats.
Bevel 3D
Bevel launched on Kickstarter on July 28th, 2015 and was successfully funded only two weeks later. Bevel, a small dongle-like device , officially started shipping in April 2017 after almost 2 years of development. The app hasn't received any updates since late 2017 but is still available.
Trnio
Trnio, developed in 2013, is one of the first 3D scanning apps to be released. This app used to be free but is now priced at $2.99. It is only available for iOS.
iPhone X 3D scanning apps
The iPhone X’s TrueDepth sensor has made it possible to develop a variety of selfie 3D scanning apps. Some interesting iPhone X 3D scanning apps include:
- Bellus3D : the app itself is free, but you need to pay in order to export your scans. For three days of unlimited 3D scan exports, the price is $7.99. For more accurate 3D scans, users may opt for the Bellus3D Face Camera add-on (see on Amazon ).
- Heges : like Bellus3D, the app is free to download. However, the in-app option to export 3D scans costs $2.99.
- 3D Scanner Pro : this iPhone X scanning app by Laan Labs targets professional use cases (real estate, architecture, etc.).
3D photo apps
3D photo apps are a recent trend and, although they don’t provide actual 3D scans, they are definitely interesting tools to play (or work) with.
nine0003
What is 3D photo or spatial photography?
Spatial photography is a hybrid between capturing a video and taking photographs. 3D photos combine the perspective of a panoramic photo and the 3D features of a video.
3D scanning was created in order to digitize the geometry of the three-dimensional world, to translate the objects around us into 3D computer models. However, most of the solutions that exist today are complex, expensive and cumbersome. Therefore, until recently, the creation of 3D models of objects remote from the scanner, located on the street or, for example, stored in a museum, was a rather problematic task. nine0003
But recently there was great news - the laboratory of computer vision and geometry has developed an application that turns almost any smartphone into a 3D scanner.
Unlike ordinary photography, when a person is standing still, the application user must take a picture of the scanned object by walking around it.
At the end of the survey, the received data is processed, and a three-dimensional model appears on the screen. If you continue shooting, the model will be automatically supplemented with captured frames and angles, it will become more accurate. nine0003
What is especially convenient is the possibility of interactive refinement of the model. Since the entire process of its creation takes place right there, on the smartphone, the user can receive information about the missing fragments from the application in real time, and immediately shoot them.
Marc Pollefeys, professor at the Institute of Visual Computing, talks about the benefits of this technology:
It is this interactive ability to complete the model during the scan that distinguishes this method compared to conventional remote cloud processing. nine0003
The application has many convenient settings
The application allows you to look at the 3D model from different points of view right on the smartphone screen and refine the most important (interesting) areas.
Almost every modern person always has his phone at hand, which means that if you install this scanner application on it, you can get 3D models literally on the go, without the need for a bulky stationary 3D scanner.
The program can offer the user a large number of settings, such as, for example, shooting in low light conditions in a museum. The user can quickly create a three-dimensional model of a museum exhibit, and then carefully examine it at home. Also, the digitized 3D model can be immediately uploaded to the cloud service for further processing.
Thanks to the phone's built-in sensors, the scanning process has become much easier, more intuitive and more reliable. After scanning starts, the system automatically determines the right moments to shoot based on the user's movement. nine0003
Mark Polleface says:
Just a couple of years ago, this level of software would only run on powerful desktop computers. However, today we have already been able to optimize it for a smartphone, and even make it more efficient.
Increased user interactivity
Unlike the most common image-based 3D digitizing solutions today, the new application allows you to determine the absolute size of the scanned object, as well as its height. Due to the high complexity of calculating the location in space of hundreds of thousands of points on the surface of a three-dimensional model, when it is visualized, the smartphone's graphics coprocessor is involved in the calculation process - it allows the application to work faster. nine0003
Also, this technology can be used to digitize human faces in 3D, adding a third dimension to ordinary flat portraits. Having such a convenient way to obtain 3D models, users have the opportunity to copy any real objects, creating their 360 ° model. The resulting 3D models can be used for various visualizations, augmented reality applications, or
The unique capabilities of 3D scanning are increasingly being used in a variety of fields, from industrial production and architecture to medicine and the film industry.
This encourages manufacturers to launch more and more advanced 3D scanners on the market, the variety of which can be divided into two large groups. nine0003
- Contact models are devices based on the principle of direct contact of the device with the scanned object.
- Non-contact scanners (active and passive) is rightfully called the most promising solution, since such devices are able to provide 3D visualization of models located in places that are difficult to access for direct contact. In particular, the use of non-contact 3D scanners has become widespread in the modern jewelry industry. nine0380
Perhaps the only drawback of the mentioned devices is their high cost.
High-end 3D scanning equipment costs tens of thousands of dollars today, and not every fan of 3D printing is able to buy a 3D scanner for personal or professional use. Gadgets that have already become familiar to everyone came to the rescue - digital cameras, as well as the most ordinary smartphones.
Built-in 3D scanner: a new trend in the smartphone market
Naturally, manufacturers could not ignore this circumstance, and for this reason, more and more well-known brands of mobile technology are presenting new smartphones with a built-in scanner to the consumer's judgment.
So, Apple has equipped its iPhone with a compact 3D scanner with an IR transmitter, as well as a receiver that allows you to model objects in three-dimensional space in real time, simply by measuring the distance between each of the thousands of projected microdots and the transmitter itself. Interestingly, 3D printing enthusiasts can use such a device even in a completely dark room. The issue of the company's release of proprietary specialized software for 3D modeling is still open. nine0003
Keeps up with its permanent competitor and Samsung. So, the South Korean manufacturer equipped the new Galaxy S9 and S9 + smartphones with an unparalleled front camera and IR sensors for 3D scanning.
The company's plans include the development and release of specialized modeling software to the global soft market.
The next model of interest to 3D printer owners is one of Lenovo's latest smartphones. The PHAB2 Pro has gained massive popularity not only because of Google Tango's super augmented reality function, but also because of the built-in 3D scanner, which operates at a speed of 250,000 samples per second. nine0003
Of course, these three smartphone models are far from the only devices that will interest users who are not yet able to buy a 3D scanner for professional use. In addition, there are several more interesting solutions on the market, each of which can be called a rather promising specimen.
Equip your smartphone with a 3D scanner yourself
By the way, most ordinary smartphones can be equipped with a module for scanning objects in three-dimensional space. To do this, simply install the shareware application Qlone - 3D Scanning & AR Solution from the developer EyeCue Vision.
The software product is designed for 3D printing and allows you to scan objects, saving them in various formats (STL, PLY, etc.). 3D printer. nine0003
Plug-in 3D sensors
Finally, the last way to get a low-cost scanning device, which we will mention in today's mini-review, is to purchase Scandy Pro, a third-party ToF sensor that connects to a smartphone, as well as a mobile application of the same name. The system allows you to scan objects with an accuracy of up to 0.3 mm, then process them in CAD (CAD) programs and directly send them to print directly from the device.
iPhone owners can also purchase the ultra-compact and relatively inexpensive plug-in Eora 3D Mini Scanner, which is controlled via regular Bluetooth and can scan objects up to 200mm in size. nine0003
With the advent of the first 2D scanners in the 90s, many people were able to copy their documents without leaving their homes, which was very convenient. They also allowed us to quickly digitize various documents and images at any time, giving us the ability to instantly create backup copies of documents on our computer's hard drive, and subsequently in the cloud.
And now, after a couple of decades, 3D technology, in essence, has become the same as 2D technology was in 90 years. The only difference between them is that technology is developing many times faster today than it was two decades ago. And now, the merging of several exponentially growing technologies make our lives much easier and our activities more efficient. Today, you have to spend anywhere from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars to get a 3D scanner from a store. Such scanners are used to digitize physical objects and create copies of them through a 3D printer, if the user so desires. The lack of practical applications, and the very high price, seriously slowed down the development of the market for these products. nine0003
However, one company is still trying to change this. Founded in November 2013, Replica Labs has been working behind the scenes to develop an app called Rendor that will turn any smartphone's camera into a full-fledged 3D scanner.
"We're democratizing 3D scanning... no additional hardware... we've reduced the price of this technology to $0 for all internet-enabled smartphones," said Isaac Roberts of Replica Labs. nine0619
This app will have five basic steps to start scanning:
- Download the Rendor app from the company's website and print out the scanning grid (which can also be downloaded from their website).
- Place the object to be scanned on the grid.
- Open the Rendor application, press the "scan" button and capture the object on video from as many angles as possible.
- After the scan is completed, click the "finish" button, and send the scan to the application's cloud server for further processing. nine0380
- Get the finished 3D model to your email within one minute.
The application will be free to download and use, but the company will still need to cover its costs. Therefore, they plan to build in some restrictions that can be lifted for a fee.
"Rendor will be a free mobile app for Android and iOS smartphones," said Roberts.“We hope we can give everyone a few free scans, 3-5 a month I think. Once the user has reached the limit of their scans, they will be offered two options to do more scans: share the app with friends, or pay for continued use. We're not quite sure yet what price we should be asking, but for now, we think it will be $12-$25 per year." nine0619
Paying for the application will most likely give you an opportunity for an unlimited number of scans. Roberst said that they may introduce two pricing plans, one of which will allow for higher resolution scans. Such a tariff plan will cost a little more than $12-25 per year.
The very same technology used to implement the Rendor application is very complex.
“The government has invested a lot in Robotic Vision. And after our co-founders, Vince and Brandom, saw their products work in their labs, they realized that most of their technologies have many commercial applications, and to be honest, I agree with them. Everything from clothing to toothbrushes is about to be revolutionized, and we believe that 3D printing and 3D scanning technology is what will launch the next wave of industrial revolution and bring about the next industrial revolution.” nine0619
Render is currently in closed alpha testing and the company is set to launch the next phase of the test on July 4th. In the coming week, they plan to demonstrate the work of their development in order to arouse public interest in it. In addition, at the end of this month, they will travel to Silicon Valley to collaborate with business accelerator PlugandPlay. For starters, they plan to launch the app on Android, and later make it available to iOS owners. It is also planned to launch the project on Kickstarter by mid-August this year. Anyone wishing to test the functionality of this application can register on their website and become beta testers. nine0003
There are two types of 3D scanners - contact and non-contact. Professional equipment costs tens of thousands of dollars, so many users use smartphones and digital cameras for volumetric scanning.
Handset manufacturers have noticed the trend and decided not to stand aside. There are several phones on the market that can replace a real 3D scanner. New ones coming soon. In addition, the "scanner" can be made independently. And now more about everything. nine0003
Smartphone with built-in 3D scanner
Sony XZ1
The South Korean company SONY offers the Xperia XZ1 smartphone. The phone is positioned as a pocket contactless scanner. It easily copes with scanning faces and small opaque objects. The 3D Creator application is used to activate the mode. Scanned objects are automatically converted into 3D models that you can share with friends, refine in CAD systems, or send to print without making adjustments. nine0003
iPhone X
The brainchild of Apple is equipped with an infrared transmitter that projects thousands of microdots onto the object under study. Reflected, infrared radiation is captured by the receiver built into the smartphone. The device generates a 3D model by measuring the distance between each point and the emitter.
Simulation takes place in real time and even in off-light conditions. The company did not say whether the original software for creating graphic models is planned.
Samsung S9
Flagship smartphones Galaxy S9 and Note9 will receive sensors for 3D scanning. Infrared sensors will be placed next to the selfie camera. The manufacturer is expected to release a proprietary simulation application.
Lenovo PHAB2 Pro
The device has been on the market for more than a year, but still remains a coveted item among 3D printing fans. The built-in 3D scanner makes 250,000 measurements per second. The device runs on the Project Tango platform. Here's how it goes:
Intel RealSense Smartphone Developer Kit
Designed specifically for 3D modeling. It was equipped with a unique ZR300 module: a color camera, two infrared cameras, an infrared laser projector, a short throw camera with a wide-angle lens.
The device calculates the distance of up to 10 million points every second, forming the most accurate information about the depth of the scanned space.
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