Polycam

Freemium

poly.cam

The industry-leading 3D scanning app that uses AI and LiDAR to instantly turn real-world objects and rooms into photorealistic 3D models.

About Polycam

Polycam brought professional-grade 3D scanning (photogrammetry) directly to the consumer smartphone. Historically, capturing a real-world object as a 3D model required a highly controlled studio, thousands of photographs, and hours of massive cloud compute. Polycam utilizes the LiDAR sensors in modern iPhones and advanced AI processing to do this in seconds.

A user simply opens the app and slowly walks around an object (like a vintage chair) or a physical space (like an entire living room), recording a short video. The AI instantly processes the spatial data, generating a highly accurate, photorealistic 3D mesh complete with high-resolution textures.

The platform has become an absolute necessity for indie game developers who need highly realistic environmental assets, VFX artists creating digital twins, and real estate professionals generating instant, highly accurate 3D floor plans of properties using only their cell phone.

Key Features

Core capabilities and technical highlights of Polycam

Advanced AI photogrammetry engine capable of converting simple smartphone video into incredibly highly detailed, textured 3D meshes.

Native LiDAR integration utilizing Apple's depth sensors to instantly scan massive architectural spaces and generate accurate floor plans.

Extensive export pipeline allowing users to easily push generated models into professional tools like Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Spline.

Cloud processing capabilities for massive drone mapping and high-end DSLR photogrammetry projects.

Popular Use Cases

How teams, developers, and creators get value from Polycam

1Slowly record a video of a vintage antique desk and instantly generate a photorealistic 3D model to sell on an e-commerce platform.

2Walk through an entire empty house using the iPhone's LiDAR scanner to instantly generate a mathematically accurate 3D floor plan.

3Scan a highly textured rock formation in a national park to instantly export the asset for use as environmental dressing in a Unity video game.

4Utilize the cloud-based photogrammetry engine to upload 200 high-resolution drone photos and generate a massive 3D topographical map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers regarding Polycam

Is Polycam free?

The app offers a free tier allowing users to create basic scans. Exporting those scans in professional 3D formats (like .obj or .fbx) requires a paid 'Pro' subscription.

Do I need an iPhone with LiDAR?

No, while the LiDAR sensor is required for scanning massive rooms or floor plans, the AI 'Photo Mode' works brilliantly on any modern smartphone (iOS or Android) by using standard video.

Can it scan shiny or glass objects?

Photogrammetry historically struggles massively with transparent glass or highly reflective mirrors, as the AI cannot calculate the depth of the reflection. Matte objects scan best.

Is the model highly accurate?

Yes, LiDAR scans are remarkably accurate (often within an inch of reality), making it highly trusted by architects and construction professionals for rapid site surveying.

Can I edit the scan in the app?

Yes, the app includes basic measuring and cropping tools, allowing users to cleanly cut away the surrounding floor from a scanned object before exporting.