How to use the Polycam - LiDar scanner app

Polycam is a powerful app for iOS and Android that offers multiple different methods to capture 3D objects and spaces. The app features three main scanning modes: LiDar, Photo, and 360. In this post, I'll focus on the most popular mode LiDar. LiDar stands for “Light Detection and Ranging” and it reflects light from the iPhone back into a special sensor. 

The most common application of Polycam is to create detailed graphical renditions of rooms and spaces, specifically for construction and real estate. iPhone 12 and 13 Pro’s now have capabilities to use LiDar, since it's significantly cheaper and easier than other radar methods. 

To begin, download and open the app, allow camera access, and press the second button “ROOM” located on the bottom of the screen. This will open the room scanning feature.

Next, press the white circle above the buttons to begin scanning. You will notice that the LiDar scan will begin to mark outlines of walls and furniture in the room. Move the phone around slowly to capture more space. 

To capture more of the room, stand up and slowly walk around the room. Moving your camera to capture every angle of the space. Remember that the slower and more you move the phone around, the more accurate the scan will be. 

After you are done walking around the room, you can press the red stop button, just like if you were recording a normal iPhone video. You will need to be patient while the app loads your rendered space. 

After the loading process is done, a fully rendered 3D space will appear. It will have the estimations of what the furniture is and where the doors/windows will be. You can move around this space by pinching in or out. Keep in mind that these are rough estimations and can be improved by scanning longer and moving the device around more. 

Additionally, there is a wide set of tools available to examine the 3d space. Most importantly, you can get measurements with the ruler and area tool.

Polycams LiDar scanner is a powerful tool for creating detailed 3D models of rooms and spaces with ease. Whether you're using it for construction or real estate, the app offers a useful way to visualize and measure your surroundings.