RealityScan 1.6 update brings significant improvements that enhance the reliability and quality of 3D scans directly from your smartphone. The new features include the introduction of advanced modes that optimize the acquisition and processing of models. With new customization options and enhanced real-time interaction, this update makes RealityScan even more powerful and suitable for both professionals and creatives.
RealityScan allows you to turn a series of photographs into 3D models usable in various contexts, from augmented reality to 3D design. The app is designed to be accessible to everyone, even those with no experience in complex modeling software, thanks to its simple interface and advanced automatic scanning technologies. Users take photos of objects or scenes they want to scan, and RealityScan combines the images to create a detailed 3D model.
Mainly used to create 3D models in various fields like game developers, product designers, architects or anyone needing to acquire 3D models from physical objects to integrate them into digital projects. Update 1.6 update has made the app even more powerful, introducing new modes and options that allow for higher-quality scans with more control using two different capturing modes: the classical Augmented Reality and the new camera Control mode.
Not to be confused with its big brother RealityCapture, RealityScan prioritizes ease of use and portability, making it ideal for quick captures on the go, while RealityCapture delivers high-end, professional photogrammetry solutions with extensive control over processing and results.
Both RealityScan and RealityCapture, initially developed by Capturing Reality and now under Epic Games, serve different purposes and different levels of expertise.
RealityScan is a mobile app designed to make photogrammetry accessible to a wider audience. It allows users to create 3D models from photos taken directly with a smartphone or tablet, offering a simple and guided workflow. A real-time point cloud helps visualize coverage during the scanning process, ensuring a more complete dataset. Once the capture is finished, the model can be processed in the cloud and uploaded to Sketchfab for easy sharing and visualization.
RealityCapture, on the other hand, is a professional-grade desktop software offering advanced photogrammetry tools. It supports a wide range of input sources, including high-resolution images, laser scans, and drone footage, allowing for the reconstruction of highly detailed and accurate 3D models. Unlike RealityScan, processing is done locally, leveraging the power of a workstation’s GPU to generate models faster and with greater precision. The software also provides extensive tools for editing, texturing, and optimizing 3D assets for various applications, from game development to architecture and visual effects.
This version 1.6 of RealityScan is designed for anyone who wants to quickly obtain high-quality 3D models using only a smartphone. It is particularly useful for professionals and hobbyists working in 3D modeling, augmented reality, and design, but also for anyone wishing to explore 3D scanning for personal or creative projects.
RealityScan is developed by Epic Games, a leading name in the gaming and immersive technology sectors. Known for the Unreal Engine graphics engine and Twinmotion, Epic Games leveraged its experience in 3D rendering and scanning technologies to create an app that allows anyone to scan real-world objects and turn them into 3D models.
As said, RealityScan is designed to make the scanning process even more intuitive and precise with an improved Augmented Reality (AR) Mode, which guides users in real-time during the scan, suggesting the best angles to achieve the best result. A manual Camera Control Mode has also been implemented in this update, allowing users to customize their camera settings for more accurate and detailed scans. Finally, the new advanced processing panel lets users adjust the resolution of the mesh and the quality of textures to optimize the 3D models.
RealityScan 1.6 update now offers two distinct scanning modes, providing greater flexibility when starting a new project. By default, the application prompts users to choose a mode at the beginning of each session, though a preferred default can be set in the settings.
Augmented Reality Mode retains the original functionality of RealityScan, displaying a real-time point cloud and camera positions to assist during the scanning process. This guided approach helps in capturing an optimal dataset, but camera settings remain fixed and cannot be adjusted.
Camera Control Mode, introduced in this update, offers full manual control over camera settings, including focus, shutter speed, ISO values, white balance, and flash. Unlike the AR mode, it does not provide a real-time point cloud or camera position overlay, but it allows for precise adjustments tailored to specific lighting conditions and subject requirements.
Manual controls work as follows: Focus and Shutter Speed can be adjusted via sliders, or by tapping on the screen to select an area, then locking the focus or exposure settings for that specific region. White Balance can be fine-tuned using a reference card, ideally gray or white, to ensure color accuracy. Flash Control enables switching the flash on or off while capturing images, though for consistent lighting, it is recommended to keep it either fully enabled or disabled throughout the entire session. Flash can be particularly useful for evenly illuminating the subject or enhancing separation from the background.
With these two modes, RealityScan 1.6 now accommodates different scanning workflows, whether prioritizing real-time guidance or offering advanced manual controls for precision photogrammetry.
Another important improvement is related to the Processing Options Panel
The latest update introduces a Processing Options Panel, offering a clearer project overview and new customization features for the processing workflow.
With the Picture Thumbnails feature, it is now possible to quickly preview the captured photos, streamlining the review process before generating a model.
For Mesh Resolution, two settings are available. The Normal option generates a mesh with up to 100,000 polygons, suitable for most use cases, while the High option increases this to 1 million polygons, providing greater detail for complex models.
The Mesh Filtering feature enhances the final appearance of the mesh. The Smooth option creates a more uniform and polished surface, while the Detailed setting preserves intricate details, making it ideal for highly textured objects.
When adjusting the Maximum Texture Resolution, users can choose between 4K, a standard high-resolution setting, or 8K, which delivers ultra-high fidelity for detailed textures and close-up rendering.
As always, texture sharpness is directly influenced by the quality of the source images. Ensuring that all photos are sharp and free of blur remains essential for achieving the best possible results.
Additionally, several bug fixes have been implemented to improve the app’s stability and performance when scanning 3D objects, and the update addressed issues related to crashes and slow performance on both iOS and Android devices, ensuring a smoother scanning experience overall.
It is safe to know that a few issues have been identified but are not solved yet. In some cases, the final model may become corrupted during processing, which can be concerning. After uploading to Sketchfab, models may lose their original position when displayed (while this is outside the scope of RealityScan, users should be aware of the potential issue). On certain devices, Auto Capture may experience lag, and the app can randomly close when exceeding 170 images. Additionally, using Flash on some iPads may cause the app to crash. The development team is aware of these issues and is a relief to know that they are actively working on fixes for an upcoming patch.
In the future, additional scanning modes, enhanced automations, and more customization options for the models could be added. Furthermore, integration with other platforms, such as Unreal Engine and Twinmotion, could make RealityScan even more powerful for industry professionals.
In conclusion we can say that RealityScan 1.6 update represents an important step forward in improving the app, with new features that simplify and enhance the quality of mobile 3D scanning. The new manual camera control offer users a smoother and more detailed experience, while the advanced processing panel allows for finer customization of the models. With these additions, RealityScan becomes an even more powerful tool for anyone looking to explore the world of 3D scanning. The bug fixes improve the app’s reliability, ensuring a more stable and efficient experience.
You can refer to the official discussion on Epic Game’s forum here.
– article by Canterino F.
