Kickstarting Your Choice: Reality Capture vs Reality Scan

When choosing between RealityCapture and RealityScan, professionals inclined towards advanced photogrammetry, precision and workflow integration will favor RealityCapture. However, for those seeking a user-friendly, cost-effective start to 3D modeling, the free and easy-to-use RealityScan, especially on iOS, is preferential.

Key Differences Between RealityCapture and RealityScan

• Developer: While RealityCapture software is developed by Slovak company Capturing Reality, RealityScan is an Epic Games application.
• Application: RealityCapture performs out-of-core meshing, coloring, and texturing, and creates 3D models from both unordered photos or laser scans, RealityScan only uses photogrammetry to create models from multiple images.
• Platform: RealityCapture is a commercial Windows desktop application while RealityScan is a free mobile app available currently for iOS platforms, with planned Android support in 2023.
• Integration: RealityCapture integrates into professional workflows and is likely to be incorporated into Unreal Engine, RealityScan directly exports scans to Sketchfab.
• Pricing: RealityCapture operates on a credits system ($10 per 3,500 credits) while RealityScan can be downloaded for free.
• Hardware Requirements: RealityCapture requires a 64-bit machine with at least 8GB RAM and Nvidia CUDA 2.0+ GPU, RealityScan is compatible with any iPhone or iPad device supporting iOS 16.0 and above.
• User Base: RealityCapture attracts professionals due to its advanced features and workflow integration, RealityScan could be more appealing to the general public or those new to 3D modeling due to its accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

Comparison	RealityCapture	RealityScan
Developer	Capturing Reality	Epic Games
Usage	3D modelling from unordered images or laser scans	Scanning real-life objects into 3D models
Part of Tool Suite	No	Yes, Epic’s suite of tools
Field Applications	Cultural heritage, gaming, full body scanning, surveying, mapping, visual effects, virtual reality	Video games, design projects
Software Requirements	64-bit Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Nvidia CUDA 2.0+ GPU, 1GB RAM	Any iPhone or iPad device supporting iOS 16.0+
Processing Details	Works linearly, time doubles as input doubles	Uses multiple images from different angles
Key Features	Command line operation, SDK, Out-of-core meshing, coloring, texturing	Preview scans, export directly to Sketchfab, Project Library
Supported Systems/Hardware	Efficient on 4 CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, 386 CUDA cores	iPhones and iPads with iOS 16.0+
Limitations	Limited to 32 CPU cores, 3 GPU cards	TBD Android version
Pricing	$10 per 3,500 credits	Free to download
Target Market	Businesses needing photogrammetry software	Designers building 3D objects from real-life scans
User Community	Limited technical support and anonymous statistics of exports for Promo license	#realityscan for sharing creative works
Potential Applications	Architects visualizing future settings for design or presentation	Creation of objects in video games or design projects

What Is RealityCapture (RC) and Who’s It For?

Introduced in 2016 by Slovak company Capturing Reality, RealityCapture (RC) is revolutionizing various industries with its pioneering 3D computer graphics software. Users can create 3D models from unordered photos or laser scans seamlessly. RC caters to professionals in cultural heritage, gaming, surveying, mapping, VFX, and VR sectors. Its robust image manipulation and calibration capabilities underpin its market-leading status, making RC particularly attractive to businesses in need of photogrammetry software.

With RC, architects gain comprehensive visualization tools for future settings of buildings and houses, a critical advantage for enhanced design and client presentations. After its acquisition by Epic Games in 2021, plans are underway for integrating RC into Unreal Engine, signifying upcoming innovation horizons.

Pros of RealityCapture

• Excellent 3D model creation from unordered photos or laser scans
• Powerful image registration, calibration, and polygon mesh calculation
• Convenient integration into workflows
• Wide field of applications from gaming to mapping

Cons of RealityCapture

• Limited support for Nvidia graphics cards
• Pricing based on credit system
• Requires a fairly high system configuration for optimal performance
• Promo license allows a maximum of 2500 photos and excludes technical support

What Is RealityScan and Who’s It For?

Developed by Epic Games, RealityScan is an application launching users into the future of 3D model creation. With an easy-to-use interface, it transforms images taken from from various angles into comprehensive 3D models, offering real-time capabilities. Primed for designers and developers in the gaming industry, as well as broader application fields, the app enhances the creation process of 3D objects.

With a promise of an Android version by 2023 and a potential free year of Sketchfab Pro for users, the possibilities with RealityScan continuously expand. The app uses varying technologies such as laser scanning and photogrammetry, each with varied strengths and limitations. The decision to use RealityScan inevitably aligns users with the forward-thinking vision of Epic Games.

Pros of RealityScan

• Efficient conversion of images into rich 3D models
• App-based, enabling use on various mobile devices
• Real-time capabilities suitable for AR and gaming
• Free to download

Cons of RealityScan

• Currently only available on iOS, Android version planned for 2023
• Different 3D scanning technologies have unique strengths and limitations
• May struggle with capturing fine details accurately
• May be affected by environmental factors like lighting

The Final Verdict: RealityCapture or RealityScan?

After deep-diving into the dizzying jargon whirlpool of RealityCapture and RealityScan, the fog of confusion clears to reveal the absolute truth: one size does not fit all. Let’s fragment our tech enthusiasts into clusters and gauge the most suitable technology that serves their aspirations best.

Segment 1: Hardcore Game Developers & VR Architects

If you pride yourself as an intensive game developer or a virtual reality architect, the precision and complexity of RealityCapture is your ticket to yardstick-defining experiences. With its professional-grade tools – like georeferencing, polygon mesh calculation, and photogrammetry prowess – you can craft awe-striking virtual realities, intricately detailed 3D models, and immersive VR terrains that thrill to the bone.

Segment 2: Mid-Level System Users

For users with mid-level systems, don’t fret – RealityCapture sweeps in like a knight in shining armor. Unapologetically optimized for linear performance, RealityCapture dishes out results loss-free despite a limited Nvidia graphics card.

Segment 3: Easy-to-Go Users & Sketchfab Lovers

Are you more attuned to an easy-to-go style or a Sketchfab enthusiast? Choose RealityScan without a second thought. Its straightforward integration into Sketchfab and effortless reality-into-3D transaction caters brilliantly to your needs.

Segment 4: 3D Scanning Newbies

If you’re cresting the first wave of 3D scanning, the user-friendly design and intuitive features of RealityScan provide a perfect platform for your pioneering journey.

In the grand slugfest of RealityCapture vs RealityScan, the victor is audience-specific. If high-end game development and VR architecture is your arena, RealityCapture reigns supreme with its pro-level sophistication. However, for mid-level system users and those seeking an ‘easy-to-go’ style, RealityScan is your golden ticket. Newbies exploring 3D scanning will also find RealityScan the perfect partner. Game on, tech warriors!