RealityScan

RealityScan is a photogrammetry and 3D scanning application developed and published by Epic Games. It enables users to reconstruct detailed three-dimensional models, textured meshes, and point clouds from photographs and laser scans. The software is designed for 3D artists, game developers, architects, engineers, surveyors, researchers, educators, and businesses that need to convert real-world objects, buildings, and environments into digital assets.

RealityScan is available in two related products: the desktop application and RealityScan Mobile. The desktop version is designed for more advanced photogrammetry and reconstruction workflows, while RealityScan Mobile provides a smartphone-based way to capture physical objects and turn them into 3D models. The desktop application runs on Windows and Linux, while the mobile application supports compatible iOS and Android devices.

The desktop product continues the technology and development history of RealityCapture, which Epic Games acquired through its acquisition of Capturing Reality. In June 2025, Epic Games renamed RealityCapture to RealityScan with the release of version 2.0. This brought the desktop photogrammetry software under the RealityScan name, while the former mobile application became RealityScan Mobile. The distinction is important because older tutorials and documentation may still use the RealityCapture name.

One of RealityScan’s central capabilities is photogrammetry. This process analyses photographs taken from different positions and uses overlapping visual details to calculate the subject’s shape, dimensions, and surface appearance. The resulting reconstruction can include a 3D mesh, textures, and point-cloud data. Users can capture physical objects, landscapes, architectural structures, cultural artefacts, and other subjects, then process the photographs into digital representations for further use.

RealityScan supports large image collections and photographs at different resolutions. This gives users flexibility when working with different cameras and capture requirements. A project may use images from a smartphone, DSLR camera, drone, or other compatible imaging equipment. The quality of the reconstruction depends on the number and coverage of photographs, camera settings, lighting, subject characteristics, and the consistency of the captured images.

The software also supports laser-scan data. Photographs can be combined with aerial and terrestrial LiDAR information to create more complete reconstructions. This is particularly relevant to surveying, geospatial work, architecture, construction, and documentation projects where accurate spatial information is important. Combining photographic details with laser measurements can help users capture both surface appearance and spatial structure.

Another important feature is AI masking. This capability helps users identify and remove unwanted background areas from photographs during reconstruction. It can be useful when capturing an object against a complicated background or when surrounding elements could interfere with the model. By helping isolate the intended subject, AI masking can improve the preparation of image sets for photogrammetry.

RealityScan also provides georeferencing capabilities. Users can work with coded markers and positioning information, including RTK and PPK data, to connect reconstructed models to real-world coordinate systems. These features make the software relevant to professional surveying, mapping, engineering, and geospatial workflows. They can help users maintain spatial references when combining 3D reconstructions with other geographic or measurement data.

The desktop application includes tools for processing and refining reconstructed models. Users can generate meshes and textures, inspect point clouds, and manage project data throughout the reconstruction process. These capabilities support workflows that require detailed digital assets rather than simple visual previews. The resulting models can be used for visualization, digital environments, documentation, and other applications that rely on accurate representations of real-world subjects.

RealityScan is also designed to support automated production workflows. Its headless command-line interface allows users to run selected operations without relying entirely on the graphical interface. This is useful for studios, technical teams, and organisations that process large numbers of scans or need repeatable reconstruction procedures. Command-line operations can be incorporated into scripts and production pipelines to reduce repetitive manual work.

The software also includes a paRSer templating language for extracting information about projects, images, and generated content. This provides another way to work with project data programmatically. The documentation includes resources for command-line operations, environment variables, camera geometry, and the remote command plugin. These resources are relevant to developers and technical users who want to customise or automate parts of their workflow.

RealityScan supports both NVIDIA and AMD GPU acceleration. This gives users with supported hardware more options when configuring their reconstruction systems. The specific performance depends on the graphics card, memory, operating system, project size, and processing settings. Desktop photogrammetry can be computationally demanding, particularly when working with large image collections or detailed reconstructions, so users should review the published hardware requirements before installing the software.

RealityScan Mobile offers a simpler capture workflow for people who want to scan objects using a phone or tablet. Users photograph a subject from different angles, allow the application to process the captured images, and generate a 3D model. The mobile application is free to download and use, and its exports are also free. It is designed to make basic 3D capture accessible to people who do not have professional scanning equipment or extensive photogrammetry experience.

The desktop and mobile products serve different but related purposes. RealityScan Mobile is convenient for capturing objects quickly, while the desktop application provides a broader environment for detailed reconstruction, geospatial work, and automated processing. Users can choose the product that fits their device and project requirements instead of treating the two applications as identical versions of the same software.

RealityScan is particularly relevant to game development and virtual production. Real-world objects and environments can be reconstructed as digital assets for use in interactive scenes, visual effects, and other digital experiences. Its relationship with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine ecosystem makes it relevant to creators who need realistic environmental assets and scanned objects for 3D projects. The resulting models can also be prepared for use in other compatible 3D applications.

The software has applications beyond entertainment. Architects and construction professionals can use photogrammetry to document buildings, structures, and sites. Surveying and geospatial teams can combine photographs with LiDAR and positioning data. Museums and heritage organisations can create digital records of historical objects and locations. E-commerce businesses can use 3D models to provide more detailed product visualisation, while researchers and educators can use reconstructed objects as digital learning materials.

Epic Games provides a licensing structure based on the user’s status and the organisation’s annual gross revenue. Students, educators, educational institutions, and individuals or businesses below the stated revenue threshold can use the desktop application for free. Individuals and businesses above the threshold need to purchase annual seats. The separate RealityScan Mobile application remains free for users.

The platform is distributed through the Epic Games Launcher, where users can install the desktop application from the Unreal Engine section. Paid desktop seats are administered through the Epic Developer Portal. Epic Games also provides documentation, learning materials, community forums, release notes, and support resources to help users understand the software and troubleshoot technical issues.

RealityScan is best suited to users who need to transform real-world photographs and laser scans into detailed digital 3D assets. Its combination of photogrammetry, LiDAR data support, AI masking, georeferencing, GPU acceleration, and command-line automation makes it useful for both creative and technical workflows. Beginners can start with the mobile application, while professionals can use the desktop software for more advanced reconstruction and production tasks.

Pricing

RealityScan uses a free and paid licensing model for its desktop application, while RealityScan Mobile is free for everyone.

• Free desktop licence: $0 for eligible individuals and small businesses with less than $1 million USD in annual gross revenue. Students, educators, and educational institutions also qualify for free access, with no revenue limit for educational users.
• Paid RealityScan seat: $1,250 per seat per year for individuals and businesses above the $1 million USD annual gross revenue threshold.
• 30-day trial: Available for the paid desktop licence.
• RealityScan Mobile: Free to download and use, including free exports.

Review

RealityScan is a capable photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction platform that combines detailed image processing with support for laser scans and geospatial data. Its ability to generate meshes, textures, and point clouds makes it useful for projects that require more than basic 3D object capture. The combination of AI masking, georeferencing, and GPU acceleration also gives professional users tools for handling more demanding reconstruction workflows.

One of its strongest advantages is the licensing structure. Eligible individuals, students, educators, educational institutions, and smaller businesses can access the desktop application without paying for a subscription. RealityScan Mobile is also free for everyone, including its exports. This makes the software accessible to hobbyists, learners, and creators who want to explore photogrammetry before investing in more specialised tools.

The command-line interface and paRSer templating language are additional strengths for technical users. They provide ways to automate processing and extract project information, which can be valuable for teams handling repeated or large-scale reconstruction tasks. Support for aerial and terrestrial LiDAR data also makes the software relevant to surveying, mapping, construction, and geospatial applications.

However, RealityScan has a learning curve, particularly for users who are new to photogrammetry. Producing reliable models requires suitable photographs, good image coverage, and appropriate processing settings. Large projects can also require substantial computing resources. The paid licence may be expensive for businesses that exceed the revenue threshold, especially when several employees need individual seats.

RealityScan is a strong option for users who need professional 3D reconstruction tools and want access to a free licence where eligible. Its combination of desktop processing, mobile capture, geospatial capabilities, and workflow automation makes it suitable for creative industries and technical applications. Users should review the hardware requirements and licensing conditions before adopting it for commercial production.