What is a 3D scanner app?

A 3D scanner app or 3D scanning app can turn almost whatever smartphone into a pocket-sized 3D scanner. Virtually of these apps are based on photogrammetry, a 3D scanning engineering that creates 3D models out of second photos. You accept pictures of an object from different angles and then the app's algorithms "stitch" the images together.

With a 3D scanning app, yous can 3D browse objects and rooms, and even people (3D trunk scanning). You can use a 3D scanner app to create 3D objects for augmented reality. Information technology'due south too possible to create 3D models for 3D press.

Hither is a scan we did with a 3D scanning application (KIRI Engine):

Of course, 3D scanner apps for smartphones are less accurate than bodily 3D scanners. However, they are a peachy, affordable way to acquire more than most 3D scanning without investing in complex hardware.

In this article, nosotros provide a comprehensive listing of the best 3D scanner apps for iPhone and Android smartphones.

The 5 best 3D scanning apps for smartphones (costless)

How do 3D scanning apps work?

Photogrammetry 3D scanning technology

Past definition, photogrammetry is "the science of making measurements from photographs". Put but, yous have photos of a 3D object, and then the software stitches the pictures together. With this technology, the terminal 3D scan features color and texture.

3D scanning using a smartphone (iOS or Android)

Y'all need to take several pictures of the object from unlike angles (commonly 360° around the object) with your phone. 3D scanning apps by and large provide you with tips and guidance to help you properly accept the pictures.

The app so processes these pictures and aligns them together to course a 3D model. The 3D model is so 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 than context and information near each 3D scanning app from our selection.

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KIRI Engine

KIRI Engine is a free 3D scanning app for Android and iOS smartphones. All the processing happens on KIRI'southward servers, not your phone, and then the only thing you need is a contempo smartphone with a decent photographic camera.

The free version of KIRI Engine has a seventy-photo limit, which is enough for most simple scans. It'southward first-class for makers, students, and anyone who wants to try 3D scanning or do the occasional scan (for small or elementary objects).

Read our in-depth KIRI Engine review article for more information almost this app.

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Qlone

To use Qlone, you need to print a special black and white newspaper mat. The mat looks similar a QR code and is used by the app as a marker.

Qlone offers a useful guiding organization. A greyness dome surrounds the object you lot'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.

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Scandy Pro

Scandy Pro for iOS is a free 3D scanning app that turns your iPhone into a full-color 3D scanner. Within the app, yous tin can edit your scans with various tools. This app is available for iPhone Ten/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 straight to Sketchfab. In the free version, yous go a gratuitous mesh save every week. If y'all need to save more scans, y'all can purchase single saves or go a subscription for unlimited saves. The Scandy Pro app is free and receives frequent updates.

Scandy developers also offer their Cappy app, which allows y'all to capture small 3D scans for augmented reality. You can't export the scans though!

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Canvas

This gratuitous 3D scanner app is ideal for professionals such as designers, architects, real estate agents, and more.

Canvas is easy to use– y'all merely need to walk effectually the room while holding upwards your iPad. The app creates your 3D model in real fourth dimension, and provides exact flooring-program measurements.

Canvass allows yous to save your scans on your iPad or email them to friends or colleagues. This 3D scanning app as well offers a Scan To CAD service for $29.95 per browse.

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itSeez3D

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 price $7 each. The two paid versions of itSeez3D offer a express amount of free exports and other benefits. The "Scale Upward" package at $250/month lets you export upwardly to ane,200 models per year.

This awarding requires an Occipital Construction Sensor to operate.

3D scanning with a smartphone: special mentions

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3DF Zephyr, a 3D scanning software for PC, enables you to create 3D scans from your smartphone pics. You can then consign the 3D scans in common 3D file formats.

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3DSizeME is a 3D body scanning app adult by TechMed3D, a Canadian company. This free 3D scanning app works with a Construction Sensor and targets medical clinics and professionals. The 3DSizeME app provides precise torso measurements.

TechMed3D tin customize the app to specific professional needs and utilize cases.

Bevel launched on Kickstarter on July 28th, 2015 and was successfully funded only two weeks later. Bevel, a pocket-sized dongle-like device, officially started shipping in April 2017 afterwards almost two 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 exist free just is now priced at $4.99. It is simply available for iOS.

iPhone 3D scanning apps

The iPhone TrueDepth sensor has made information technology possible to develop a variety of selfie 3D scanning apps. Some interesting iPhone 3D scanning apps include:

  • Bellus3D: the app itself is gratis, simply you lot need to pay in order to export your scans. For three days of unlimited 3D browse exports, the toll is $vii.99. For more accurate 3D scans, users may opt for the Bellus3D Face Camera add-on (come across on Amazon).
  • Heges: like Bellus3D, the app is free to download. Notwithstanding, the in-app option to export 3D scans costs $2.99.
  • 3D Scanner Pro: this iPhone 3D scanning app by Laan Labs targets professional person use cases (real manor, 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 betwixt 3D photo and 3D scanning apps

3D photos are similar to 3D scans, at to the lowest degree in the way they are seen, only they are nevertheless both dissimilar:

  • 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 consign 3D photos to external software such every bit Sketchfab

Discontinued 3D scanner apps

A number of 3D scan apps have come up and gone. Nosotros list them here so you know what'southward been going on!

3D Creator past 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 Grab

123D Take hold of, which was in one case 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 Shop, it hasn't been updated since late 2014.

Seene

Seene is a 3D scanning app for smartphones that has been acquired past 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 consign 3D scans to the VR world (and to Minecraft). Still, the visitor 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.

Determination

In this article, we provide acomprehensive overview of 3D scanning apps for smartphones. The market is still too pocket-size 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 bodily 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 browse objects if they are in a 2-in-1 printer scanner combo. Very few of these machines be.

How do 3D scanners work?

3D scanners capture 3D information of a given space or object. To do and so, the scanner tin utilise a laser, structured light, a photo camera, or a impact probe.

What is the best 3D light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation scanner?

The best 3D laser scanner is the one that all-time 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. Y'all can create a model by 3D scanning an object with your phone. You can too observe thousands of pre-made models on STL file websites.