How to 3D Scan Using an iPhone – 3D Printing (6 Steps)
Reading Time: 8 minutes Newer iPhone models have made it possible to 3D scan everyday objects and convert them to digital images you can bring to life through 3D printing. But how can you do it? I wrote this article to walk you through 3D scanning using your iPhone.
To 3D scan using an iPhone, install a 3D scanning app, set up your object for scanning, capture the scans using your iPhone’s camera, process the scans, and export them in STL format. After that, you can clean up your scan using 3D modeling software, export the STL file into a slicer, slice, and then print.
This is just a simple explanation of the whole process. I will go into details in the article, so stick around to find out more.
How to 3D Scan Using an iPhone
Scanning using an iPhone is now possible thanks to Apple’s Lidar sensor, which has been integrated into the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and later models. Below is a straightforward process that you can follow to 3D scan if you have one:
- Install a scanning app
- Set up the object you want to scan
- Capture the scans
- Process the scans and export them
- Clean up your 3D scan
- Slice your 3D model, save the G-Code file, and print it out
1. Install a Scanning App
The first step is downloading and installing a reliable 3D scanning app for your iPhone. Several options are available on the App Store, each with unique features and capabilities.
Some popular ones among the 3D printing community include
While some allow you to export your model for free after subscribing, others might require you to pay a small fee. Installing any of these apps is very straightforward:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone
- Use the search bar to find the app you need, for example, “Polycam”
- Tap “Install” to download and install the app
Here is the Polycam app’s download page:
One user said he uses the 3D Scanner App by Laan Labs, which works well if you have an iPhone with a LiDAR sensor. Additionally, it is free to use, and you can export the STL for free.
Another user wanted to know how to use the LiDAR scanner to make 3D models using an iPhone he planned to purchase. Someone responded that they first needed to download an app of their choice. He added that he used the 3D Scanner App for that purpose.
A user recommended the Ethan Makes3D Scanner App since it worked pretty well on his iPhone 12 mini, although it uses the front camera. He added that you could play around with it for free, but you would need to pay the $7 unlimited unlock fee to export STLs.
A 3D printing user mentioned using the ScandyPro App to make 3D scans and then cleaned up his model using Blender.
2. Set up the Object You Want to Scan
The next step involves correctly setting up the object you want to scan to have a successful scan. First, find a well-lit environment or a space with ample natural or artificial light. Good lighting will help to capture the details accurately.
However, it would be best to avoid direct light as much as possible, as this will create hard shadows and glare that will spoil your scan. After that, position your object correctly. Place it on a stable, flat surface to remain steady during scanning.
If your object has metallic or reflective surfaces that may affect the scan, spray paint it or cover it with another material to bring out the details. Ensure the entire object is visible and within the camera’s frame before capturing the scan.
One user who used the 3D Scanner App said it was better to be at least a meter away from your subject on average unless there were small details where you could approach.
A user said that you could 3D print a set of axis arrows and place them near the object to make it easier for your app to get its dimensions and orientation.
Another user said that the first tip when using the Polycam app was to ensure the camera was mounted in landscape mode. This will ensure that the object of interest covers a huge area in the photo.
The second tip was ensuring the lighting was uniform and more diffuse, especially when scanning objects with glossy surfaces. More diffuse light will help to reduce the glossiness to the maximum (like on a cloudy day).
Learn how to set up your object for 3D scanning in this video.
3. Capture the Scans
Once your object is set up correctly in a well-lit environment, it’s time to capture the 3D scan. Launch the app you installed and hit start. How to do this will vary from app to app.
Some apps, like the KIRI Engine App may have a plus sign that you press to take photos. Others, like the Ethan Makes 3D Scanner and the ScandyPro apps, have a round record button that you can hit to start capturing images of your object.
Now, move around the object slowly, capturing it from various angles. Maintain a steady distance from the object as you move around it. This is because varying it can affect the quality of the scan.
Ensure that you capture your object from all sides and angles. Some scanning apps, like the Qlone 3D Scanning App, will guide you through the process and indicate the areas you haven’t scanned yet.
Some people use a tripod to hold their iPhones and rotate the object using a turntable to capture the scans. A tripod keeps your camera steady when taking the scans. However, it is not a must.
It is advisable to take as many photos as possible to create a more detailed model. You should have at least 50 photos if you want the quality of your model to be good.
When using the 3D Scanner App, a user said the key was to avoid going over the same area multiple times. He recommended planning your scan to hopefully only go through all the areas just once.
Another user said they spent only 5 minutes on a single scan when using the 3D Scanner App to scan a client’s properties and create a rough map of existing conditions. He added that he used the default low-resolution scan and then colorized it to a high-quality level.
He also advised against scanning the same object twice and being very aware of changes in elevation, as that is where the most tearing occurs.
Some users suggest turning the camera around the object would be better than rotating the object because capturing different backgrounds would give the app something to reference for scale.
You can learn how to 3D scan your object using the KIRI Engine App from the video in the second section.
4. Process the 3D Scans and Export Them
After completing the scan, your app will process the images and create a 3D model. Depending on the complexity of the scan and the number of images captured, this may take varying times. Additionally, you can delete blurry photos or photos you don’t like before processing in this step.
Some apps like KIRI engine and Polycam process the photos remotely in a cloud. This means they relieve your phone from processing the photos, enabling you to get a 3D model from your photos faster.
Once the processing is complete, the app will allow you to preview your 3D model before exporting it. You can check if the results are satisfactory; if not, you can just rescan and reprocess.
All 3D scanning apps provide an option to export the 3D model after you’ve previewed it. Choose to export the file in STL format since it is compatible with most 3D printing software, like Cura. Some apps, like Ethan Makes 3D Scanning App, require you to pay a small fee before exporting the file.
This video shows how you can process and export your 3D scan using the Polycam app on your iPhone.
5. Clean Up Your 3D Scan
After capturing a 3D scan, it is normal to encounter imperfections within your 3D model, such as holes or unwanted elements. Cleaning your scan will help you get rid of all these imperfections before printing.
Some 3D scanning apps, such as Qlone, have inbuilt clean-up tools that will enable you to refine your model by removing holes and smoothening out the shape.
However, if your app doesn’t have a clean-up tool, you can export your file to a 3D modeling software like Meshmixer or Blender. These softwares have repair tools that you can use to clean up the 3D scan.
For example, you can use the “Fill” feature in Meshmixer to fill all the holes and the smooth filter to eliminate rough edges. After you’ve cleaned the 3D scan to your satisfaction, save the cleaned version of the scan in STL or OBJ format.
In this video, Teaching Tech perfectly demonstrates how you can clean up 3D scans in Meshmixer.
6. Slice your 3D Model, Save the G-Code File and Print
The final step is to import your 3D scan into a slicing software such as Cura or PrusaSlicer, adjust the print settings, and slice it. If you preview the model and are satisfied with how each layer will print, save the G-Code file on your computer or export it to an SD card for printing.
Here is how you can slice your 3D model in Cura.
