Skip to content
Irregularpedia Logo Irregularpedia

3D Scanning & Photogrammetry

3D Scanning & Photogrammetry

Section titled “3D Scanning & Photogrammetry”

3D scanning captures real-world objects as digital models for use in CAD, 3D printing, reverse engineering, and visualization. Photogrammetry achieves similar results using photographs instead of dedicated scanning hardware.

Getting Started

Section titled “Getting Started”
Section titled “Recommended Learning Resources”
ResourceTypeDescription
Payo - Tensile CreatorYouTube Channel26+ years of design engineering experience covering 3D scanning, CAD modeling, reverse engineering, and physics simulation. Community-recommended starting point.
Photogrammetry: The Next Steps After ScanningYouTube VideoDimitris Katsafouros covers the post-scan workflow: retopology, UV creation, and texture map baking.

Scanning Hardware & Software

Section titled “Scanning Hardware & Software”

Apple LiDAR (iPhone & Vision Pro)

Section titled “Apple LiDAR (iPhone & Vision Pro)”

iPhones with LiDAR (iPhone 12 Pro and later) and Apple Vision Pro are surprisingly capable scanning tools. The LiDAR sensor works well for room-scale objects, and Vision Pro’s head-mounted form factor lets you scan from angles that are awkward with a phone — walk around an object, scan a ceiling fan from below, then walk upstairs to capture the top.

Section titled “Recommended Capture Software”
SoftwarePlatformNotes
PolycamiOS, Android, WebPopular choice for LiDAR and photogrammetry capture. Export to multiple formats for processing in other tools.

When NOT to Scan

Section titled “When NOT to Scan”

For simple parts where you just need approximate dimensions, scanning and post-processing is overkill. Paper or cardboard templates cut with a blade, combined with calipers for measurements, often get you to a usable CAD model faster than a full scan-to-mesh pipeline.

The Scanning-to-Usable-Model Workflow

Section titled “The Scanning-to-Usable-Model Workflow”

Scanning is only the first step. The post-processing pipeline is where most of the work happens:

  1. Capture — Scan the object (LiDAR app like Polycam, structured light scanner, or photogrammetry from phone photos)
  2. Import & Decimation — The raw scan is a dense triangle mesh (“a bazillion triangles”). Reduce polygon count to a workable level.
  3. Retopology — Rebuild the mesh with clean, efficient geometry
  4. Surface/Volume Conversion — Convert the mesh to workable surfaces or solid bodies for CAD
  5. UV Unwrapping — Create 2D texture coordinates (if textures are needed)
  6. Texture & Normal Map Baking — Transfer detail from the high-poly scan to the clean low-poly model

Common Pitfalls

Section titled “Common Pitfalls”
  • Data size — The more detailed the capture, the more computational resources needed. High-resolution scans can produce massive point clouds that are difficult to work with in CAD software.
  • Expecting scan-to-print — Raw scan data almost never goes directly to a 3D printer or CAD assembly. Plan for significant cleanup.
  • Skipping retopology — Working with raw scan meshes leads to bloated files, rendering issues, and poor results in downstream tools.

Use Cases

Section titled “Use Cases”
Use CaseNotes
Reverse engineering partsCapture existing parts that lack CAD files
Architectural documentationPhotogrammetry works well for buildings and structures
Fabrication pattern matchingScan a prototype to create a manufacturable CAD model
Training aids & replicasCreate 3D-printable replicas for instruction
Terrain & site modelingDrone photogrammetry for area surveys
Section titled “Related Pages”