Posted By Kat Plewa on Oct 1, 2019

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3D scanning is becoming more and more popular. From the medical industry, historical reconstructions to automotive applications, 3D scanning has many uses. But which software is the best for your project? Did you know that in some cases all you need is a phone? Let’s see which option will suit you best!

How does 3D scanning work?

We already wrote an article about how 3D scanning works, so dig into it if you would like to know all the details! In a nutshell, 3D scanning allows you to produce a 3D model of a physical object. 3D scanning is a technology that’s now available for everyone. Doctors and other professionals use 3D scanners at work, but they are also widely used by commercial companies and amateurs.

3D scanning can be as easy as using your own smartphone or setting up a bunch of cameras. There are 3 methods to use 3D scanning technology: laser 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and structured light scanning. We prepared a guide to help you choose the best 3D scanner for your project. Since there are different devices used for 3D scanning, we organized our list of the top 20 3D scanning software by type: photogrammetry software, 3D scanning software used for 3D scanners and 3D scanning apps for your phone.

Photogrammetry software

Photogrammetry software is a technology based on photos to produce your 3D models. It uses photographs to calculate measurements and turn them into 3D data. To 3D scan with a phone, drone or a camera, you need photogrammetry software. We already dedicated a blog post to the best photogrammetry software, but now we will enrich this list.

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3DF Zephyr

3DF Zephyr is one of the leaders on the market thanks to its UI. It is very intuitive and user-friendly. Inexperienced users will be guided through the 3D scanning process, however, 3DF Zephyr is not only for amateurs. Professionals from different fields will use a lot of helpful tools, such as the ability to transform the model into CAD software. There are also plenty of options to tweak the 3D model and adjust it.

Agisoft Metashape

This professional 3D scanning software is popular for GIS applications (Geographic Information System), but also for visual effects production, historical documentation and game development. The software is capable of working with both close-range and aerial photogrammetry.

An interesting feature of Agisoft Metashape is that the user can make 4D models as the software allows to save whole scenes as editable 3D objects

Autodesk ReCap

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/recap/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/Reality-Capture/files/GUID-AF55A2EB-FCE8-4982-B3D6-CEAD5732DF03-htm.html

Autodesk ReCap stands for Reality Capture. It uses photos, but can also apply laser scans to produce 3D models. It can be used for aerial scans and close-range. The 3D objects can be used with CAD and BIM software. With this 3D scanning software, you will be able to achieve high-quality models, which can be edited thanks to specialized tools.

Bentley ContextCapture

This is a very powerful professional photogrammetry software, capable of producing whole infrastructure landscapes. It will give you a lot of advanced tools to organize and edit the 3D models. This software is popular for construction projects, it can create highly detailed street views This software can be with aerial photogrammetry and laser scanning in order to achieve the best 3D models. With Bentley ContextCapture you can even produce 3D animations and fly-throughs.

Colmap

Colmap allows for the production of 3D mesh from one camera or from a set up of cameras. It is free and easy to use. There are more advanced options available, especially to improve quality. However, you can’t edit the 3D model in this software. It is great for quick and easy 3D scanning.

DroneDeploy

As the name suggests, this 3D scanning software was designed for drones. It consists of two apps. One controls the path of the drone and will guide it from take-off to landing. A second program gathers the photos and creates a 3D model. It provides you with tools to measure areas, volumes, and distances. Additionally, you can add more personalized features.

IMAGINE Photogrammetry

IMAGINE is a professional photogrammetry software. It is important for you to consider if you’re planning to work with mapping 3D scans. It is very well known in the industry and used by the department of transportation, commercial mapping companies, and national and regional mapping authorities. It provides users with plenty of professional tools such as different point cloud views, to help transform the photos and manage large data.

Meshroom

Meshroom stands out for an easy learning curve. The 3D scanning process is very intuitive, and based on nodes and creates a 3D model for you. You also have the option to edit the nodes later and adjust the 3D scan according to your needs.

MicMac

This professional photogrammetry software was created by the French National Geographic Insitute and the French National School of Geographic Sciences. It provides you with highly professional tools, especially for academic and industrial applications. It can be used for small and large scale scans.

OpenMVG

Yet another 3D scanning software for professionals. It is trusted by computer-vision scientists and the Multiple View Geometry (MVG) industry. OpenMVG operates with Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry technology.

Photomodeler

Photomodeller allows you to create 3D objects thanks to 3 different methods. You can manually fit common characteristics, automatically produce a 3D model from coded targets or match point clouds from overlapping images. It is an easy to use and affordable 3D scanning software.

Pix4D

https://www.geospatialworld.net/news/pix4d-to-put-up-with-global-workshop-to-train-users-for-drone-flying/

This 3D scanning software covers all the tools from flying a drone to generating a 3D model. It will assure your drone path is correct and then allows you to create orthomosaics, index maps, elevation models or point clouds to produce an accurate 3D model. You also have access to different analytic tools so the model can be edited.

3D scanning software for 3D scanners

Other than producing 3D models from pictures, it is also possible to use laser and structured light projections to generate a model. When it comes to this type of 3D scanning software, it often comes with 3D scanning hardware, such as a 3D laser scanner, as with these technologies you can’t just use your phone to make a 3D model.

Artec Studio

Certainly one of the leaders in the 3D scanning software industry. It offers a professional set of tools and innovative algorithms to calculate the gathered 3D data and provide you with the best results. Another great feature of Artec is its user-friendliness and intuitive UI.

PolyWorks

Used by ShapeGrabber 3D Scanners and developed by Innovmetric, PolyWorks analyzes the 3D model for quality and accuracy. It is used by professionals in the aerospace, medical, automotive and other industries. It allows you to check the generated model by processing the point cloud.

Volume Graphics

Widely trusted in the automotive and electronics industries 3D scanning software. It allows you to analyze and visualize 3D data for metrology purposes, quality control, product development, and damage analysis.

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3D scanning apps

This cutting-edge technology of 3D scanning has gone so far that you can even use your phone to both make a 3D scan and then a 3D model. There are dedicated apps that will allow you to turn a real object into a 3D model in just a few clicks. Learn how to 3D scan with a smartphone

Qlone

This is all-in-one mobile 3D scanning software. Qlone will allow you to 3D scan and produce a 3D model with just your smartphone. It’s easy and fast to use. The 3D model can be exported into several 3D formats and sent for 3D printing.

There’s plenty of focus on video as well, so it also works as an alternative movie player.IINAIINA embraces the latest features of MacOS, including an interface theme designed for Dark Mode and picture-in-picture compatibility for watching video playback while working on other things. There’s also some interesting innovation under the hood, including the ability to play online streams and YouTube playlists via IINA, as well as all your local files. File support is also strong, with compatible formats including M4A, WMA, MP3, M4V, and dozens more. It supports everything from the MacBook Pro Touch Bar to trackpad gestures for controls. If you’re looking for an interesting player that thinks outside the box, give IINA a shot. Music listening software for windows.

Trnio

Trnio can be considered as photogrammetry software but can be used on a smartphone. It turns pictures into 3D objects, but you can also actually 3D scan the object. It offers two quality options: high and low texturing resolution.

Scann3D

Yet another photogrammetry software. It has a very simple UI and is user-friendly. Take 20-40 pictures in order to generate a 3D model. It can work with small objects as well as bigger objects (such as a tree). You can export your model as an STL file, one of the most popular formats for 3D printing.

3D Creator

This mobile app was developed by Sony and will provide you with high-quality 3D scans, it’s especially popular for portraits. The models can be used within different apps such as messages, but also to 3D print models in full color.

Scandy Pro 3D Scanner

This intuitive 3D scanning software makes it so easy to generate high-quality models. It prides itself in light files without losing quality, built-in support for STL, OBJ, GLB, USDZ and PLY formats, and moreover, fully-featured editing tools.

Overview

Let’s have a quick recap of all these software. We will list the most important technical parameters which hopefully will let you decide which 3D scanning software is the best for your project.

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As you can see the list of Top 3D scanning software is long and for sure one of them will fit your needs. From professional landscape mapping to medical 3D scanning, this technology amazes us. But it can also be used at your home, all you need is a phone.

3D printing can be just as easy. All you need to do is to upload your 3D objects to our online Additive Manufacturing service. 3D printing has never been more simple!

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Top 20: Most Popular 3D Scanners and 3D Scanning Software

3D scanning is all about capturing real-world data and converting it into a 3D model. Until recently, 3D scanners were mainly used for industrial applications but as 3D printing has become more common, especially for makers and hobbyists, the demand for scanning devices that can transform real objects into 3D printable models has grown – and driven prices down. So what’s the most popular, affordable, 3D scanning hardware and software? Read on to discover our top 20 3D scanning solutions!

Trying to rank the best 3D scanning solutions isn’t simple.

• Firstly, 3D scanning is a broad term. That’s why we’ve included all kinds of devices in this list – from free smartphone apps to desktop 3D scanners
• Secondly, it is very difficult to compare the quality of the 3D scans. Some scanning devices perform better or worse from certain angles, in certain lighting, or from certain distances (both from the object you want to scan, and from the background)
• Thirdly, prices differ so much. It’s hard to compare the quality of a USD 200 3D scanner to a scanner that costs 30 or even 100 times as much

That’s why rather than testing the quality of the 3D scanning solutions, we decided to rank them in terms of popularity within the 3D printing community. Since we focus on hobbyists, makers and entrepreneurs, we also limited this list to 3D scanning solutions that cost a maximum of USD 3000 – with most of the items actually in the USD 0 – USD 750 price range.

How we determined the most popular 3D scanning hardware and software

In order to determine the popularity of the 3D scanner or 3D scanning software, we took a look at five metrics that can be measured quantitatively.

• Social Media Score: The first factor that we took into account is the overall popularity of the 3D scanner on social networks. This includes the number of fans, followers, and mentions on social media
• Page Score: This score predicts how well a specific 3D scanning hardware/software page ranks on search engines and includes various sub-variables (for example link counts). Basically it shows how popular a page is on the web
• 3D Printing Forum Score: We calculated how often the 3D scanner is mentioned in leading 3D printing forums and boards, such as the 3D Print Board or 3D Hubs talk
• YouTube Score: This number shows how often the 3D scanner is tagged in videos on YouTube. It includes mentions such as “3D scanning with XY” or “XY 3D scanning tutorial”
• Google Score: This number shows how often the 3D scanner is mentioned in the context of 3D printing on Google. So this score is all about the quantity of relevant content out there.

We’ve already covered this but it’s probably worth mentioning it again: this evaluation is not about how good the 3D scanning solution is. It’s simply about calculating its popularity. An outstanding 3D scanner with a high price and a niche focus will have a harder time scoring well than a free app that can be downloaded by anyone. Therefore this list is all about the sheer numbers and does not make any statements about the quality of the 3D scanners.

The Structure Sensor tops the list

The Structure Sensor seems to be the most popular 3D scanning device currently out there. That’s probably also due to its incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over USD 1.2 million from 3,500 backers.

Structure Sensor 3D scanning device

The Structure Sensor is a mobile 3D scanner that can be attached to an iPad and comes at a fair price of USD 379. For an in-depth analysis of this 3D scanning solution, we recommend Will and Norm’s Sensor video review that also includes tips and tricks on how to get a high-quality 3D scan.

After the Structure Sensor, the Sense 3D Scanner (formerly known as Cubify Sense), which is a handheld device of USD 399, comes in second place. Autodesk’s free 3D scanning app for iPhones, iPads and android devices 123D Catch managed to secure the third place. If you are interested in this free scanning app, our 123D Catch tutorial is perfect for you.

The XYZprinting Da Vinci AiO (rank 4) is somewhat different from all the other 3D scanning solutions since it is an ‘all-in-one’ solution that doubles as a 3D printer and 3D scanner at USD 799. Keep in mind, however, that a non-mobile device like the Da Vinci AiO is limited in terms of the maximum 3D scanning size. The same is true for the MakerBot Digitizer (rank 5) which allows for a rotating scanning area of 20 cm x 20 cm and comes at a price of USD 799.

Next in line is a 3D printing solution from Microsoft (rank 6). Xbox’s Kinect sensor can easily be turned into a 3D scanner with Microsoft’s free 3D Scan and 3D Builder apps. So if you are an Xbox owner, you should have a look at our Kinect 3D scanning tutorial.

Microsoft’s 3D Scan app turns a Kinect into a 3D scanner.

With the Fuel 3D Scanify Scanner on rank 7 we are now entering a price range of USD 1,500. This handheld device has one of the fastest reacting sensors of the entire list but works differently than the other mobile devices we have seen so far. Rather than rotating around an object, the Fuel 3D Scanify takes a ‘3D photo’ from one side of an object. So it’s great for a high quality 3D scan of a face, but it wouldn’t be suitable for an entire 3D selfie.

The most expensive device on this list is the DAVID Laserscanner SLS-2 (rank 8) which comes at approx. USD 3000. Nevertheless we decided to include it on this list as critics continue to praise its high-quality 3D scanning results and price-quality ratio.

Matter and Form (rank 9) for USD 500 also managed to secure a spot in the top 10. This crowdfunded desktop 3D scanner uses a moving camera head and a rotating 360-platform.

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And last but not least, XYZprinting appears in the top 10 once again. Its handheld device, simply called the ‘XYZprinting 3D Scanner’ comes at only USD 200 but – despite being handheld – has a maxinum scanning size of only 60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm.

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The ranks 11 – 20 are occupied by the following 3D scanners: iSense (rank 11), NextEngine Ultra HD (rank 12), ReconstructMe (rank 13), Einscan-S (rank 14), Agisoft (rank 15), Zmorph (rank 16), BQ Ciclop (rank 17), Eora 3d (rank 18), Rubicon (rank 19), and RangeVision Smart (rank 20).

What these scores tell us and what they don’t:

To sum it up, these scores show us the following things:

• People interested in 3D scanning objects have a lot of choices when it comes to finding the right 3D scanning device. Scores are tight and there are lots of options to choose from. This list can give a general tendency of how big the communities for each of these devices are
• Freeware and low-cost 3D scanning solutions are entering the market. To save money it can be especially interesting to turn your smartphone, tablet or Xbox into a 3D scanner

What these scores don’t show us:

• They don’t show us which device is the best 3D scanning solution. It doesn’t include any ranking on the quality, functionality, or the price-quality ratio.
• Just because a 3D scanner is popular doesn’t mean that it’s the right choice for you. The best way to find your 3D scanner is by visiting their individual websites, checking their prices, taking a look at objects that were scanned with them, and by thinking about what kinds of objects you would like to scan

If you want to go for the next step and 3D print your scans in 100+ materials and finishes including metals and multicolor sandstone, come check out our online 3D printing service for immediate price quotes on your 3D model.