Two Ways to 3D Scan: Photogrammetry vs LiDAR
Photogrammetry works by taking dozens of overlapping photographs from different angles around an object, then using software to reconstruct the 3D geometry from the differences between those images. It works on any smartphone and produces high-quality texture and color data. The limitation is that it requires good, consistent lighting and can struggle with very shiny or transparent surfaces.
LiDAR scanning uses a depth sensor — available on iPhone Pro models from iPhone 12 Pro onwards and some iPad Pro models — to measure distances directly rather than inferring them from photos. It's faster and handles difficult surfaces better, but the resulting models typically have less texture detail than photogrammetry scans. For quick documentation, LiDAR wins; for quality display models, photogrammetry wins.
For most figure collectors, photogrammetry is the better choice because it works on any phone and produces better color and surface texture fidelity. Apps like Polycam, RealityScan (by Epic Games), and Kiri Engine all offer photogrammetry modes and are free to use at basic levels.
Setting Up for a Successful Scan
Lighting is the most important factor in photogrammetry quality. Use diffuse, even illumination — the same window light or LED panel setup recommended for photography. Avoid direct sunlight or a single strong lamp that creates hard shadows, as those shadows appear in the photographs and confuse the reconstruction algorithm into thinking they're geometry.
Place your figure on a turntable if you have one, or on a piece of paper marked with a simple grid that helps the software track camera positions between shots. Some collectors tape a sheet of newspaper under the figure — the text provides high-contrast reference points that dramatically improve reconstruction accuracy.
If your figure has very glossy or reflective surfaces — a metallic finish, for example — lightly dust it with a removable matte spray (cornstarch powder is a safe, residue-free option for valuable pieces) to temporarily reduce reflectivity. Reflective surfaces confuse photogrammetry software. Clean the figure thoroughly after scanning.
Step-by-Step: Scanning with Polycam
Download Polycam from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app and select 'Photo Mode' (not LiDAR mode). Set your figure in good light on a contrasting background. Take a minimum of 40 photos walking in a slow circle around the figure at three different heights — low, eye level, and slightly above. Keep the figure in the center of frame in every shot and maintain consistent exposure.
Upload the images to Polycam's processing engine. The free tier processes a limited number of captures per month; the paid plan offers unlimited processing and higher resolution output. Processing typically takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on image count and server load. You'll receive a notification when the model is ready.
Review the model in Polycam's 3D viewer. Look for obvious holes or distortions — these usually appear on the bottom of the figure (where you couldn't photograph) or on very smooth surfaces. Export the model as a GLB or OBJ file to store in your collection catalog, view in other apps, or share with fellow collectors. Sketchfab is a popular platform for hosting and sharing 3D models publicly.
What to Do With Your 3D Scans
The most practical immediate use is documentation. A 3D scan captures your figure's condition at a point in time — every surface, every paint application, every detail — in a way that static photos cannot. Store scans alongside your collection catalog records. If a figure is damaged later, the scan provides incontrovertible proof of its prior condition for insurance purposes.
3D scans can be uploaded to a Sketchfab account to create a public or private portfolio of your collection that other collectors can view interactively. This is a compelling way to share your collection without shipping figures, and some collectors have built significant followings on Sketchfab from detailed 3D capture work.
If you have access to a 3D printer, a clean scan gives you the option to print a backup or to print a miniaturized display copy while keeping the original in storage. The mesh quality from phone-based photogrammetry is typically sufficient for desktop-scale FDM prints, though SLA resin printing requires cleaner meshes that may need additional cleanup in tools like Blender or Meshmixer.