About
Polycam is a professional-grade spatial AI platform designed to capture reality and create detailed digital twins across any device — iPhone, iPad, Android, or web. Using advanced photogrammetry, LiDAR scanning, and AI-assisted processing, users can generate high-fidelity 3D models of spaces, objects, and outdoor environments in minutes. The platform offers four core capture modes: Spatial (interiors and spaces), Object (individual items), Floor Plan (instant 2D layouts), and Aerial (drone-based expansive mapping). Each mode is tailored to specific workflows, enabling rapid site surveys, product design reviews, and immersive walkthroughs without specialized hardware. Polycam is built for teams across architecture, engineering, construction, forensics, product design, manufacturing, real estate, and media & entertainment. It supports collaborative sharing, integrates with popular 3D formats (FBX, GLTF, AutoCAD, Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine), and includes free tools like an AI 3D model generator, Gaussian Splatting tool, and 360 image creator. Measurement and documentation workflows are accelerated through instant floor plan generation, area calculation, and real-time collaboration features. A 7-day free Business trial is available, making it accessible for teams evaluating enterprise-grade spatial capture solutions.
Key Features
- AI-Powered 3D Capture: Use photogrammetry and LiDAR to generate detailed 3D models of spaces, objects, and outdoor environments directly from a smartphone or tablet.
- Instant Floor Plan Generation: Automatically produce customizable 2D floor plans on-site, complete with measurements and area calculations ready to share with collaborators.
- Drone Aerial Mapping: Process drone footage into expansive, high-resolution 3D models ideal for large-scale site surveys and topographic mapping.
- Multi-Format 3D Export: Export captures in popular formats including FBX, GLTF, AutoCAD, Blender, Unity, and Unreal Engine for seamless integration into existing workflows.
- Team Collaboration & Digital Twins: Share 3D captures instantly with team members and create persistent digital twins for facilities management, design reviews, and remote collaboration.
Use Cases
- Architecture and construction teams capturing as-built conditions, generating floor plans, and producing digital twins for design and project management.
- Forensics and law enforcement professionals documenting crime scenes and accident sites rapidly and accurately for investigations and insurance claims.
- Product designers and manufacturers scanning physical prototypes to share remotely and streamline design iteration cycles.
- Real estate agencies and property managers creating immersive 3D walkthroughs and accurate floor plans for listings and facilities documentation.
- Film and media productions scanning sets, props, and locations for virtual production, VFX reference, and digital asset creation.
Pros
- Works on Any Device: Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, and web — no specialized hardware required to produce professional-grade 3D scans.
- Broad Industry Applicability: Serves AEC, forensics, product design, real estate, media, and more, making it a versatile tool across many professional verticals.
- Rich Free Toolset: Offers free utilities including an AI 3D model generator, Gaussian Splatting tool, and 360 image creator alongside the core paid platform.
- Trusted at Enterprise Scale: Used by half of the Fortune 500, demonstrating reliability and capability for large-scale, mission-critical documentation workflows.
Cons
- Full Features Require Paid Plan: Advanced business features, team collaboration, and unlimited captures are locked behind a paid Business subscription after the 7-day trial.
- Processing Quality Depends on Capture Conditions: Photogrammetry accuracy can be affected by lighting, texture, and movement, requiring some skill to consistently achieve high-quality results.
- Large File Sizes: High-resolution 3D models and drone maps can be very large, potentially requiring significant storage and bandwidth for sharing and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices does Polycam support?
Polycam supports iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and web browsers, making it accessible across all major consumer platforms without requiring specialized scanning hardware.
What is the difference between LiDAR and photogrammetry capture modes?
LiDAR capture uses the depth sensor on compatible iPhones/iPads for fast, precise indoor scanning. Photogrammetry uses overlapping photos to reconstruct 3D models and works on any camera-equipped device, offering higher detail for objects and outdoor environments.
Can Polycam process drone footage?
Yes. Polycam's Aerial capture mode allows you to upload drone footage and process it into expansive 3D models or orthomosaic maps, suitable for large-scale site surveys and land mapping.
What 3D file formats does Polycam export?
Polycam supports export to FBX, GLTF, OBJ, AutoCAD-compatible formats, and models ready for Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Maya, ensuring compatibility with most professional 3D pipelines.
Is there a free plan available?
Polycam offers a 7-day free Business trial and several free standalone tools including an AI 3D model generator and Gaussian Splatting tool. Ongoing full-featured access requires a paid subscription.
