Polycam

Polycam is a versatile and powerful cross-platform application that transforms your smartphone or drone into a high-precision 3D scanner. By leveraging advanced technologies like LiDAR, photogrammetry, and AI, Polycam makes it easy for anyone to capture real-world objects, spaces, and environments and turn them into detailed, dimensionally accurate 3D models. The platform is designed to serve a wide range of users, from architects and engineers to game developers, e-commerce store owners, and digital artists.

With a suite of powerful tools including an AI 3D Model Generator, AI Texture Generator, and Gaussian Splatting, Polycam pushes the boundaries of reality capture. It offers multiple capture modes tailored to different needs, making it a comprehensive solution for both small-scale object scanning and large-scale aerial mapping.

How to use Polycam

Using Polycam is designed to be an intuitive process, accessible even to beginners in 3D scanning:

1. Choose Your Platform: Download the Polycam app on a compatible iOS device (iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro) or Android device. You can also use the web interface to upload and process photos.
2. Select a Capture Mode:
   - LiDAR Mode (iOS only): For devices with a LiDAR sensor, this mode allows you to quickly scan rooms and spaces by simply walking around. It's ideal for creating accurate floor plans and models of interiors.
   - Photo Mode: Use your device's camera to take a series of photos (up to 2,000 on paid plans) of an object from multiple angles. Polycam's photogrammetry engine will process these images to create a detailed 3D model.
   - Drone Mode: Upload imagery captured from a drone to generate large-scale 3D maps and models of terrain or buildings.
   - 360 Image Mode: Create immersive 360-degree photos of your environment.
3. Process and Refine: Once your data is captured or uploaded, Polycam's cloud processing generates the 3D model. You can then use the built-in editor to crop, measure, and refine your model.
4. Export and Share: Export your creations in a wide variety of file formats compatible with industry-standard software like Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, AutoCAD, and more. You can also share your models directly via a web link.

Core Features of Polycam

• Multi-Platform Support: Seamlessly capture and edit on iOS, Android, and the Web.
• Advanced Capture Technology: Utilizes both LiDAR for fast, accurate spatial scanning and photogrammetry for high-detail object modeling.
• AI-Powered Tools: Includes an AI 3D Model Generator from text and an AI Texture Generator to enhance your models.
• Gaussian Splatting: A cutting-edge tool for creating photorealistic scenes with incredible detail and fast rendering.
• Comprehensive Floor Plan Creator: Instantly generate 2D and 3D floor plans with precise measurements, perfect for real estate and construction.
• Extensive Export Options: Supports formats like glTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, USDZ, STL, PLY, LAS, and DXF, ensuring compatibility with professional workflows.
• Team Collaboration: Business and Enterprise plans offer shared workspaces, team management, and collaborative tools.
• Drone Photogrammetry: Process aerial imagery to create large-scale, georeferenced 3D maps and models.

Use Cases for Polycam

Polycam is trusted by professionals across numerous industries:

• Architecture, Engineering, & Construction (AEC): Creating as-built models, site documentation, progress tracking, and generating accurate floor plans.
• Real Estate: Developing immersive virtual tours, 3D floor plans, and marketing materials for properties.
• Retail & E-commerce: Generating photorealistic 3D models of products for online stores and augmented reality (AR) experiences.
• Game Development & VFX: Capturing real-world objects and environments to use as high-quality assets in game engines like Unity and Unreal.
• Forensics & Law Enforcement: Documenting crime scenes and accident sites with high accuracy for investigation and analysis.
• Art & Design: Digitizing sculptures, artifacts, and unique objects for creative projects and preservation.

Advantages of Polycam

Polycam stands out for its combination of power, accessibility, and versatility.

• Accessibility: It democratizes 3D scanning by turning a standard smartphone into a professional-grade capture device.
• High-Quality Results: The fusion of LiDAR and photogrammetry ensures both accuracy and high-fidelity detail in the final models.
• All-in-One Solution: From object scanning to room planning and drone mapping, Polycam provides a comprehensive suite of tools in a single platform.
• Seamless Workflow Integration: With its vast array of export formats, Polycam models can be easily integrated into virtually any 3D pipeline.
• Cost-Effective: Compared to traditional 3D scanning hardware, Polycam offers a highly affordable entry point into professional 3D capture.

Pricing and Plans

Polycam offers a flexible pricing structure to suit different needs:

• Free Plan: A great starting point for hobbyists. Includes a limited number of captures and allows up to 100 photos per photogrammetry scan with basic .gltf export.
• Pro Plan: Ideal for individuals and professionals. Offers unlimited captures, up to 2,000 photos per scan, and access to all advanced export formats (OBJ, FBX, STL, DXF, etc.). Available with a 7-day free trial on the annual subscription.
• Business Plan: Designed for teams. Includes all Pro features plus team management, shared workspaces, and priority support. Priced per seat.
• Enterprise Plan: A custom solution for large organizations, offering dedicated support, custom integrations, invoice-based payments, and personalized onboarding.

Discounts are available for students and teachers (50% off), and choosing an annual plan provides significant savings over monthly billing.