The advanced features of portable devices make them excellent tools for scanning / presenting 3D data. The latest Apple devices can utilise their face recognition – TrueDepth – feature and the Lidar capability to achieve very useful results. Here are some Apps to try out if you have a suitable Apple device.
Scanning
iOS Device with Lidar
The Lidar sensor has a range of about 2 metres so these apps are not suitable for scanning buildings where the height goes above this. The results are perhaps not precise enough for exact work but it is a quick way of capturing a room and contents.
EveryPoint
EveryPoint on the App Store (apple.com)
Easy to use and free to export E57 point cloud files (not mesh models)
Scaniverse
Easy to use and lots of editing features within the app – will export as mesh or point cloud.
This app is now free, and highly recommended
3D Scanner App
LidarScanner 3D
Polycam
This app has two modes of operation; utilising the Lidar feature of the Apple Prop range, and also a photogrammetry function whereby photos taken with the phone around an object are uploaded and processed on their servers and downloading back as 3d models
- Not free but well worth paying for
- Updated and enhanced frequently
- https://polycam.ai
Record3D
This is very useful – and free – however the route to get scans out so they can be processed on the computer is a little involved.
- “Animated” point cloud capture
- Captures each frame of the lidar scan as a separate PLY point cloud file
- These frames can be chained together to create an animation in Blender
- Record3D — 3D Videos and Point Cloud (RGBD) Streaming for iOS
iOS – with TrueDepth (face recognition) Camera Technology
These apps are a little awkward in that they use the front facing camera to 3D scan – which means the phone needs to be held backwards making it tricky to see what is being captured. The scan resolution is good and works well for smaller objects.
Cyborg Capture
- Free ( requires sign up)
- Number of scans that can be saved out is limited per month
- Cyborg Capture
Heges
- Not free
- Will also work with the LiDar sensor of the device has it
- https://hege.sh/faq
Augmented Reality
Where a 3d object is superimposed onto or into a real space so you have a live view via the device’s screen
Reality composer by Apple
- view and manipulate objects superimposed onto real surfaces
- https://developer.apple.com/augmented-reality/tools/
Adobe Aero
- Adobe’s own AR tool – as an App or (beta) desktop tool.
- Supports interactive behaviours too
- Available for Android as well
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-aero/id1401748913
Presenting
Sketchfab
- an essential App for showing off your 3d work.
- free for uploads below 50mb
- features a VR mode to support the phone being loaded into a headset for an immersive view
- Sketchfab.com
Motion Capture
MobileCap
- Allows capture body motion capture as “skeleton” rig
- Creates FBX export that can be imported into Maya, Blender etc.
- Not free
- MobileCap on the App Store (apple.com)
Moves by Maxon
Free motion capture app – but will only export to Cinema4d (with quite a convoluted transfer procedure)