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Objects found in nature can be digitized and used as design resources. 3D scanners are crucial whether you’re just starting, a hobbyist, or a seasoned professional. However, the software and hardware needed for 3D Scanning apps can be quite pricey.
The good news is that nowadays, you can find 3D scanner apps that are both inexpensive and easy to work with. There are a few 3D scanner apps available for both Android and iOS.
We compiled a list of the top 5 3D scanner apps after extensive research. Keep reading as we explore their salient features and discuss why they are the superior option.
Table of Contents
What Is 3D Scanning?
The basics of 3D Scanning need to be covered before we get into our favorite scanner apps. It takes measurements of a real-world object and produces an exact digital replica of its form and finish.
Both contact and non-contact Scanning are commonly used in professional 3D Scanning. By touching a precision surface, we can analyze and record information about an object. Meanwhile, light or ambient radiation is used in non-contact Scanning. These choices may not be cheap.
Luckily, 3D Scanning via photogrammetry is a more practical alternative. This 3D scanner app takes pictures and videos of an object to create a digital copy of it. The use of LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology in smartphones makes them even more convenient for capturing images and videos from a variety of perspectives.
Note that getting the best results from photogrammetry takes time and effort. The number of photos and videos you’ll need to piece together could easily reach the hundreds. The quality of your phone’s camera and the lighting conditions are pivotal in achieving this goal.
What Are the Top 3D Scanner Apps?
Here is our compilation of the best 3D scanner apps currently available:
KIRI Engine
KIRI Innovations, a cutting-edge startup with the mission of democratizing access to 3D scanning technologies, has created a cloud-based 3D scanning app called KIRI Engine.
You can make a 3D model of anything you can imagine with the help of the KIRI Engine app. Take at least 20 pictures of it from various angles, and the app will put them all together for you. KIRI’s 3D scans have numerous uses, including but not limited to 3D printing, interior design, and gaming.
The KIRI Engine app stands out because of its NSR (Neural Surface Reconstruction) artificial intelligence algorithm, which can scan objects with no distinguishing features. Simple colors and smooth surfaces are the bane of photogrammetry when applied to everyday objects. The Near-Surface Reconstitution (NSR) feature of the KIRI Engine enables the capture of such objects for 3D modeling.
KIRI Engine makes it simple to retopologize the 3D scan into a quad mesh, which boosts the efficiency of 3D modeling. PBR (Physically Based Rendering) content created by AI is used in KIRI as well, which is crucial for commercial applications. The quality of the rendered 3D model can be enhanced with PBR materials.
It is common for users of photogrammetry software to acquire irrelevant background information when scanning an object. You can get rid of those pesky little details and have your 3D scan cleaned up automatically with the help of KIRI Engine’s AI Object Masking tool. Just flip the object over while you take pictures to capture the underside, too. It’s a quick and simple method for acquiring high-quality 3D scans with zero need for manual post-processing.
The updated Object Capture API introduced in iOS 17 is one of the most recent additions to the app. With this update, iOS devices with LiDAR sensors can be used for photogrammetry in real-time. Now, users don’t have to rely on the cloud to make 3D models; they can do so locally on their devices.
Even though KIRI is cloud-based, processing a scan used to take at least 15 minutes. However, with the addition of LiDAR to iOS devices, photogrammetry can be processed in a flash, just as the addition of LiDAR sensors has made it possible to capture low-texture objects, which were previously difficult to do with standard photogrammetry methods.
To ensure that their app is available to as many people as possible, KIRI Engine is offered at no cost. However, it also offers a Pro version and in-app purchases.
Many of the same features and the same algorithms that are available to KIRI Engine Pro users are available in the free version. You have an unlimited capacity for new projects, 70 images per project, and three exports per week. In-app editing of scans and cloud-based 3D model sharing are both supported.
Additional photo capture per project, unlimited exports, access to pro camera controls, local file uploads, quad mesh retopology, and access to the AI-powered Featureless Object mode are all available in the paid Pro tier. The KIRI Engine app can be downloaded for free on both iOS and Android. Nonetheless, it’s notable for being a top-tier Android 3D scanner. Since high-quality 3D scanner apps have been hard to come by on Google Play, it’s safe to say that the KIRI Engine app for Android is the best of its kind.
You can get by without the newest model of iPhone or Android, though. Any smartphone should be able to run the app without issue. Keep in mind that the quality of your phone’s camera will directly affect the accuracy of your 3D scan.
KIRI Engine also has a web-based interface, which lets you upload and convert high-resolution images captured with a DSLR or a drone into 3D models.
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Scandy Pro
Scandy Pro is a simple 3D scanner for iOS devices, letting you make high-resolution, full-color scans from your iPhone or iPad. The scans can be used for augmented reality, 3D printing, and computer modeling.
You don’t have to upload your scans to the cloud if you don’t want to. Some customers, however, insist on having access to cloud-based services.
Scandy Pro uses the light-based depth-sensing and ranging (LiDAR) capabilities of newer iPhones and iPads in the same way that KIRI does. Your Apple mobile device can now be used for field surveys.
Scandy Pro brags about being quick and easy to use. There’s no need to take hundreds of pictures. During the scanning process, you can see a live preview of your object and make adjustments within the app.
Scandy Pro is available at no cost and includes a weekly mesh save. You can get a subscription for as little as $1.99 per week if you want to save as much as you want.
Cappasity
You can generate 3D product imaging with Cappasity Easy 3D Scan and then embed 3D Views into your web store, mobile app, or augmented reality app. With the ability to spin and examine the goods up close, you can give your online shoppers the best possible experience.
Included in its offerings are a free Cappasity account and a fully automated, one-click capturing solution and 3D image editing workflow.
Cappasity Easy 3D Scan supports Mac OS X 10.6 or later and Windows 5 with an Intel Core i5 processor. You’ll need 8GB of RAM and 12GB of free space on your hard drive. MacOS 10.12 Sierra and Windows 10 64-bit or later are required.
For personal use only, you can upload two 3D images per month and embed them on your website with a Cappasity watermark at no cost. The Cappasity logo can be added to exported videos for sharing on social media.
Premium plans for Cappasity include access to features like an increased number of embeds, 3D scans, and videos without watermarks, augmented reality integration, and API customization.
Qlone
Qlone is a comprehensive 3D scanning app for turning physical objects into digital replicas. The 3D scans can be modified with the program’s in-built editing tools and then exported to a variety of file types. Texts can be added, scans can be combined, holes in the mesh can be patched, and bump maps can be improved.
Qlone’s processing is done in real-time on your phone, and the company claims that this speed is achieved without sacrificing scan quality. The app requires a special mat, which can be printed from the website on regular printer paper. However, keep in mind that the size of the mat, which increases with the size of the object, might restrict how large the object can be. The mat forms a dome for the camera to scan, isolating it from outside sounds.
The iOS version of Qlone is more feature-rich than the Android version, but the app is available for both platforms. Without the Qlone mat, you can use your iPhone to perform a scan. Qlone is available for no cost on iOS, but there is an in-app purchase option for access to additional features like higher resolution scans and animated augmented reality views.
Occipital Structure Sensor Pro
Occipital, an American virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology company has developed a 3D scanner tool called Structure Sensor Pro. The Structure Sensor Pro is an accessory for iOS devices that can be used to scan the human body and generate 3D models for use in medicine.
The patient experience has been enhanced through the use of Structure Sensor Pro in a variety of applications, including orthotics, prosthetics, spinal braces, and bespoke footwear. This device can be used in conjunction with various medical applications to facilitate the digitization of body scans, the creation of products based on prescriptions, and the streamlining of digital fabrication processes.
Structure Sensor Pro is used in the medical field for a wide variety of applications, including advanced wound care solutions for patients, ultra-custom-fit goggles, high-quality orthotics, accurate and reliable medical-grade human body measurements, and medical marker-less solutions in surgical settings.
Occipital is pleased with its improved manufacturing and calibration procedure for industrial use. It guarantees that the sensor is ready to go out of the box and provide accurate scans.
The Android, iOS, and Windows versions of Structure Sensor Pro are all free to download. It also provides a free version of its software, called Structure Lite, which can be used on iOS devices by embedding the Structure SDK into an app.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, while 3D Scanning is essential to the design process, it can be a costly and time-consuming process. Several reasonably priced and user-friendly 3D scanner apps are now available. Based on our research, here are the five best 3D scanner apps currently available.
KIRI Engine, Scandy Pro, Cappasity, Qlone, and Occipital Structure Sensor Pro are all available options to consider. Apps vary in price, features, and compatibility; pick the one that works best for you. These 3D scanner apps make it simple for anyone, from students to professionals, to incorporate 3D Scanning into their workflow, allowing them to convert physical objects into digital models for use in their designs.
FAQs(Best 3D Scanning Apps)
What is 3D Scanning?
3D Scanning is a technology that captures the physical dimensions and appearance of real-world objects and converts them into digital 3D models. It involves various methods, including contact and non-contact Scanning, as well as photogrammetry, which uses images and videos to create digital replicas.
What Are the Top 3D Scanner Apps?
There are several 3D scanner apps available for both Android and iOS. Some popular options include KIRI Engine, Scandy Pro, Cappasity, Qlone, and Occipital Structure Sensor Pro. These apps offer various features and capabilities for 3D Scanning and modeling.
How Does KIRI Engine Stand Out?
KIRI Engine is known for its Neural Surface Reconstruction (NSR) artificial intelligence algorithm, which allows it to scan objects with simple colors and smooth surfaces that can be challenging for photogrammetry. It also offers features like quad mesh retopology and Physically Based Rendering (PBR) for enhanced 3D modeling.
Is 3D Scanning Expensive?
Traditional 3D scanning hardware and software can be expensive. However, there are now affordable 3D scanner apps available, making them more accessible to beginners, hobbyists, and professionals.
What Factors Affect the Quality of 3D Scans?
The quality of 3D scans can be influenced by the camera quality of your smartphone, lighting conditions during Scanning, and the number of images or videos taken from various angles. Additionally, using devices with LiDAR technology, like some iOS devices, can improve scan quality and processing speed.