In heritage conservation, time is not always on our side. Natural disasters, development pressures, and environmental decay threaten cultural landmarks and artifacts every day. But what if you could carry a powerful documentation tool right in your pocket?
Thanks to the rapid advancement of mobile technology, 3D scanning for heritage preservation is no longer limited to expensive equipment or elite institutions. With a smartphone and the right app, anyone—from architects to archivists to community members—can now participate in protecting and preserving cultural heritage.
Here’s a rundown of mobile 3D scanning apps that are revolutionizing the way we document the past.
1. PIX4Dcatch: Professional Photogrammetry in Your Pocket
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Buildings, facades, site documentation
PIX4Dcatch transforms your phone into a photogrammetry scanner that can capture large heritage structures. It’s perfect for quick surveys of old churches, heritage houses, or archaeological digs. When used with RTK positioning and uploaded to PIX4Dcloud, it generates accurate 3D models ready for analysis or preservation planning.
2. Polycam: Fast, Flexible, and Field-Ready
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Interiors, sculptures, rapid scans
Polycam offers both LiDAR and photogrammetry options. It’s ideal for capturing detailed 3D data of indoor spaces or museum exhibits and exporting models in multiple file types, including OBJ and GLTF.
3. Luma AI: High-Fidelity 3D with Neural Radiance Fields
Platform: iOS
Best for: Artifacts, statues, cultural objects
Using advanced NeRF technology, Luma AI creates photorealistic 3D reconstructions. It’s perfect for small objects like carved icons, tools, or woven crafts—allowing high-quality visual records without needing LiDAR.
4. Scaniverse: LiDAR-Powered Detail
Platform: iOS (with LiDAR)
Best for: Historic interiors, monuments
Scaniverse is especially useful for scanning buildings and interior features with intricate detail. Export options make it ideal for creating models for restoration or BIM integration.
5. 3D Scanner App by Laan Labs
Platform: iOS
Best for: Quick scans, outdoor structures
A no-frills app that gives solid LiDAR scanning performance and straightforward exports. Useful for scanning outdoor sites or field visits where speed is key.
6. KIRI Engine: Accessible Photogrammetry for All
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Objects, low-resource heritage scanning
KIRI allows users to take photos of an object from multiple angles and upload them for 3D model processing. It’s a great entry point for students or community volunteers doing heritage mapping.
7. RealityScan by Epic Games
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Cultural artifacts, museum use
RealityScan offers high-resolution photogrammetry ideal for heritage education or digital exhibitions. It integrates well with Sketchfab and Unreal Engine for immersive storytelling.
8. Qlone: Dome-Style Scanning for Small Treasures
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Miniatures, coins, delicate artifacts
Qlone uses a printed mat and 360° scanning to document smaller items in detail. It’s a handy tool for museum curators, researchers, and educators.
Enhancing Heritage Workflows
These mobile apps democratize access to digital documentation. They’re lightweight, budget-friendly, and easy to teach, making them ideal for:
- Rapid disaster assessments
- Community-based mapping
- Academic documentation
- Digital storytelling and virtual exhibits
With the right training, local government units, students, and even elders can use their phones to preserve what might otherwise be forgotten.
Heritage in the Hands of Many
Heritage conservation is no longer the domain of a few. Thanks to mobile 3D scanning apps, it’s possible for more people to participate in safeguarding the past—capturing stories, textures, and spaces before they’re gone.
So the next time you walk past a heritage site or hold an artifact from your hometown, remember: you might already be holding the tool that can help protect it.
Because sometimes, all it takes to scan the past—is a swipe.