Three years since the beginnings of augmented reality at Apple and interesting applications are finally starting to arrive. Like the 3D Scanner app, an application that uses the LiDAR of the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPad Pro 2020 to create three-dimensional models of everyday objects. The result is most astonishing, especially if we take into account the digitization and visualization that we do with a handheld device.
Scan, save and export 3D models from iPhone
The 3D Scanner app requires some learning, as it is far from an intuitive app for those who have never used a similar app before. It should take a few minutes to learn some of its possibilities before you get serious about scanning objects. So it is best to try on everyday things like a chair, table or something similar in size.
The first thing I tried to do was scan a tiny decorative object, but it failed miserably. It is best to start with something larger and from there try other things. We did the tests with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, one of three Apple devices equipped with LiDAR.
This 3D scanning app is … amazing 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1yKcFAgdU2
– Eduardo Archanco (@eaala) November 27, 2020
The chair we used as an example helped us start scanning and editing an object in 3D. As soon as the analysis begins, we see how the points and the planes start to appear which are interconnected to create zones. As we move around the object, it takes shape.
High colorized resolution, it takes 30 seconds from the previous one. pic.twitter.com/KdTsIzxMCc
– Eduardo Archanco (@eaala) November 27, 2020
The app has two modes, one low resolution and one high. The first is for quick scans of objects and environments, while the second allows us to control various functions. Among them, the range of the scan, the size of the point and the occlusion of people or objects.
Choose a small point (in our example 10mm) will help the model to be as close to reality as possible. But it will also increase the weight of the scanned file.
Editing the 3D model and exporting to a multitude of compatible formats
One of the issues with this type of app is what you do next with the raw content captured. 3D scanning with iPhone is very accurate in 3D Scanner app, but what do you do next? Fortunately, the app allows you to edit the content in different ways.
Crop editing allows you to crop the model in the six faces of a cube. To perfect the model, the ideal is to do it in an open area that you can then cut out without losing any details. A very useful tip is also to cut the floor or surface you are on to a minimum to make it look more realistic.
And what do you do with this after you edit it? You can export it to tons of formats including Apple’s USDZ which you can send over iMessage and use with augmented reality as a scale model 😜 pic.twitter.com/K6hl11Em5R
– Eduardo Archanco (@eaala) November 27, 2020
Once we have it ready, the app also plans to export the file. And it does so with a multitude of formats: OBJ, GLTF, GLB, DAE, STL PTS, PCD, PLY y XYZ. And even Apple’s USDZ format, with which we can export to Messages-type applications. The recipient of the file can place the 3D model in augmented reality wherever they want.
3D Scanner app is amazing. It combines many functions inside, be able to create 3D objects and high-quality modified models, which we can use later in other editing applications. Of course, this is not an intuitive app and it is a barrier to entry for the casual user. Without a doubt, work on this front will contribute to the popularization of this technology.
Descarga | 3D Scanner app in the App Store, free.
