About
RealityScan 2.0 (formerly RealityCapture) is Epic Games' flagship photogrammetry platform designed for professionals who need to convert real-world imagery into precise, high-fidelity 3D models. Trusted by VFX studios, game developers, surveyors, architects, and simulation teams, it handles everything from small object scans to large-scale aerial mapping projects. The platform's latest release brings significant AI-powered enhancements. AI masking automatically removes image backgrounds using a trained segmentation model, eliminating manual cleanup steps. Smarter alignment algorithms resolve common issues with low-feature surfaces, resulting in better model consistency. Aerial LiDAR support allows users to combine drone imagery and terrestrial data to generate accurate orthographic maps and 3D environments. A new quality analysis feature uses visual heatmaps to identify gaps in scan coverage before meshing, preventing wasted rework. A companion mobile app, RealityScan Mobile, enables quick captures from smartphones and tablets—ideal for field prototyping or on-site data collection. The desktop application integrates with the Epic Games Launcher and supports enterprise workflows via a licensing tier. RealityScan is free for students, educators, and businesses earning under $1M USD annually. Organizations exceeding that threshold require a subscription. It is an essential tool for anyone needing photogrammetric accuracy at scale, from indie game creators to professional surveying teams.
Key Features
- AI-Assisted Masking: Automatically removes backgrounds from images using a trained segmentation model, eliminating the need for manual masking and dramatically speeding up preprocessing workflows.
- Smarter Image Alignment: Improved default alignment settings deliver better model consistency even on surfaces with minimal visual features, reducing manual intervention and broken components.
- Aerial LiDAR Support: Combine aerial imagery, airborne LiDAR, and terrestrial scan data to generate precise orthographic projections, maps, and large-scale 3D environments.
- Visual Quality Analysis: Heatmap-based quality inspection identifies areas with insufficient scan coverage or mesh quality issues before meshing, saving time and reducing rework.
- RealityScan Mobile Companion: A streamlined mobile app for fast captures on smartphones and tablets, ideal for field work, quick prototyping, or on-site data collection.
Use Cases
- Game developers capturing real-world assets to create photorealistic 3D props and environments for game engines like Unreal Engine.
- VFX artists and film studios scanning physical sets, props, or actors to generate accurate digital doubles for post-production.
- Survey and mapping teams combining aerial drone imagery with LiDAR data to produce precise orthographic maps and topographic models.
- Architects and construction professionals digitizing existing structures for documentation, renovation planning, or BIM integration.
- Educators and students learning professional photogrammetry workflows for free as part of academic programs in design, engineering, or geospatial science.
Pros
- Free for Most Users: Students, educators, and businesses under $1M annual revenue can use RealityScan at no cost, making professional photogrammetry accessible to a wide audience.
- Industry-Grade Accuracy: Trusted by VFX studios, game developers, and survey teams for its ability to produce highly precise, texture-rich 3D models from photo and LiDAR inputs.
- AI-Powered Automation: AI masking and smart alignment reduce manual labor in typical photogrammetry workflows, enabling faster turnaround from raw captures to reconstruction-ready data.
- Broad Data Input Support: Supports photos, drone imagery, aerial LiDAR, and terrestrial scans in a single workflow, making it versatile for both small objects and large-scale environments.
Cons
- Subscription Required for Large Businesses: Companies with annual gross revenue above $1M USD must purchase a subscription, which may be a barrier for growing studios transitioning from indie to commercial scale.
- Requires Epic Games Launcher: Installation and management of RealityScan is tied to the Epic Games Launcher, adding an extra dependency that some professional environments may find restrictive.
- Steep Learning Curve: Despite automation improvements, mastering full photogrammetry workflows—especially aerial LiDAR integration and quality analysis—requires significant domain expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RealityScan free to use?
Yes. RealityScan is free for students, educators, and individuals or companies with an annual gross revenue below $1 million USD. Users above that revenue threshold need to purchase a subscription license.
What is the difference between RealityScan and RealityCapture?
RealityScan is the new name for what was previously called RealityCapture. It is the same core professional photogrammetry application, now rebranded and enhanced with new features in version 2.0.
What platforms does RealityScan support?
RealityScan 2.0 is available as a desktop application installed via the Epic Games Launcher. A companion mobile app, RealityScan Mobile, is available for iOS and Android devices for quick field captures.
Can I use RealityScan for large-scale mapping or surveying?
Yes. RealityScan supports aerial LiDAR data and allows you to combine drone imagery with terrestrial scan data to produce accurate orthographic maps and 3D models suitable for surveying, simulation, and GIS applications.
What industries is RealityScan designed for?
RealityScan is used across VFX production, game development, architecture, engineering, construction, survey and mapping, and simulation—anywhere that requires accurate 3D reconstruction of real-world objects or environments.
