Recon-3D is a scanning app that uses the Lidar sensor on the iPhone to produce high quality, accurate data.

Although you could use Recon-3D in any area where you need accurate 3D data, the main target users are crime and crash scene investigators.

The best objects for scanning are those that you can walk entirely around. Items like cars and small rooms are perfect for Recon-3D. You should not try to tackle very large spaces or expanses as this will time out the app and possibly cause memory issues.

The range of the Lidar sensor is approximately 5m. However, objects which are farther away can be reconstructed as well. This is controlled using the Depth of Reconstruction setting. However, reconstructing surfaces farther away (up to 30m) will take much longer to process. The default setting is 5m.

The Depth Range Slider is a way of limiting the reconstruction to objects within this range of the sensor. Extraneous background objects are not reconstructed which limits the amount of clean up required by the user and also improves the processing time.

Photogrammetry mode allows you to upload up to 200 photos or 10 videos with a maximum of 10 minutes each. The data is uploaded to the server for processing and returns a point cloud. You can use AprilTags with photogrammetry mode and it is great for smaller objects where greater detail is necessary. Photogrammetry mode is currently processed on the cloud only.

This is a complex answer that depends on the scale of the object and how well it was scanned and reconstructed. When using the April Tags to properly scale the reconstructed point cloud, the data can be validated by using reference measurements. This often results in most measurements that are on the order of <1-2 cm. Please check the research section of our website as we try to keep this updated with peer reviewed scientific publications about iPhone Lidar and Recon-3D.

Proper scanning and best practices should be followed to capture the best data possible. We have videos and a section dedicated to this!

The scan time is currently capped at a maximum of 10 minutes, however cloud processing has some additional limits. A 1mm resolution scan has a 1 minute maximum scan time. A 2mm resolution scan has a 2 minute maximum scan time. A 3mm resolution scan has a 3 minute maximum scan time. A 4mm resolution scan has a 4 minute maximum scan time. Resolutions at 5mm or greater have a 10 minute maximum scan time. On-Device processing remains unlimited to 10 minutes. Please note that at this time, longer scans at a very low resolutions are quite intensive for on-device processing and can crash the app. We are working on it

Recon-3D uses the EveryPoint engine and fuses the lidar with video frames to give you a photogrammetry plus Lidar sensor model. This gives the best of both worlds and allows for future growth and new features to be implemented.

Currently, Recon-3D works on the iPhone 12 Pro/Max, iPhone 13 Pro/Max, iPhone 14 Pro/Max, iPhone 15 Pro/Max and the iPad Pro (since 2020). These are the only instruments with the Lidar sensor included.

Recon-3D is available on the App Store. You can download and install the app on your Lidar enabled device and purchase directly through our website. You may also purchase plans directly through the in app purchases under the Buy Plan section.

Yes, you have the option to process your sensitive data on the device. However, the algorithm used for on-device processing is a little different than the cloud processing. Also, very long scans are not recommended for on-device processing as they can run out of memory and are more sensitive to crashes. One of the benefits of on device processing is that you can get a quick preview by using resolutions of 15mm or greater. This confirms that your data is intact and working. You can choose to reprocess at a finer resolution later.

Cloud processing allows the scan data to be reconstructed at its fullest potential. This is also where you will want to send any large scans on the order of a few minutes or so recording time since cloud processing is much more stable.

Yes, the standard subscription allows for a maximum of 10 scans to be submitted daily with a monthly limit of 30 scans total. This ensures that everyone has an equal amount of available usage from the processing servers and minimizes heavy loading.

There are a few variables that effect server processing times: Server load and Queue: When there are many jobs being submitted to the Recon-3D servers, there is a queuing system in place that is in order of priority. Therefore, make sure to submit the most important jobs first. In cases where multiple jobs are being submitted, only one job will be processed at a time unless there are empty pipelines. Scan Settings: The more dense the resolution and the greater the depth of reconstruction distance, the longer the scans will take to process. When using a 1mm resolution for even a couple of minutes can take a few hours to process. So, when working with small resolutions, minimize your scan time and lower the depth of reconstruction settings. Scan Time: The longer the scan time, the longer it will take to process. Make sure to cover the areas that are important to you but think about being efficient and try not to be overly redundant.

Currently, we are only allowing to export point cloud data in the e57 format. This provides maximum flexibility. You can easily convert the e57 file in a freely available program such as CloudCompare.

Having a subscription allows for a lower cost to the customer and also provides recurring funds to keep developing and improving features. There are currently two subscriptions, monthly and yearly.

In cases where a user is using a zoom feature for their screens, it's possible that the interface gets cut off. Simply go to Settings ->Display & Brightness -> View, and choose "Standard".

You have to have Recon-3D open in order to upload or run the on-device processing. This may change in the future, but it’s the way it works right now in order to dedicate the necessary resources to the phone.

Yes, it's possible to compress the scan folder and use AirDrop to send the compressed folder to a second Apple device. You can then uncompress in the Filesync folder and process on the second device. Please see the video about this in our tutorials section.

Recon-3D chooses only the best frames of the video. If you have a series of images with quick rotations and blurring, then it won’t use those frames. However, if the entire video is shaking, then that’s not an ideal situation. Under normal circumstances, if you can hold the phone generally steady, then you will have good results and a gimbal isn’t necessary.

At this time, Recon-3D must be open in order to run on-device processing and to complete any uploads. When you close the app or open another app, processing and uploading stops. When you return to Recon-3D, all processes begin again.

Yes, you can scan with the free trial of Recon-3D and since version 1.2, you can export your scans, use cloud processing, and photogrammetry mode. The scan times are limited to 30 seconds to give the user a sense of how Recon-3D operates.

Since version 1.3.1 (31) Recon-3D should be much more stable with your account. However, in the event that you are suddenly switched back to a trial account, try the following: Logout and back in. Switch networks if possible (i.e., force wifi or force cell data) Kill the app (swiping up) Restart device Usually one of these will fix the issue.

As of version 1.5, you can download and backup your scans and scan folders in iTunes. It is not possible to backup individual scan folders inside of the FileSync folder through iTunes, but you can backup the entire FileSync folder with all scan folders. As an alternate method, you can use the Files app to backup any scan folders and move them into the root Recon-3D folder and you will then have access to back them up. See our YouTube Channel for instructional videos.

As of version 1.5, GPS positions are recorded by the Recon-3D app. They are not included in the e57 file, but they can be copied and pasted from the app by simply pressing on the Scan Location text.