(Photo: Kiri Engine)

3D scanning technology has been rapidly rising and revolutionizing the world of manufacturing. A 3D scanner is increasingly becoming more important for manufacturers as the world is moving towards another industrial revolution. Thanks to this technology, materials, money, and time can all be saved, conserved, and spent wisely. 

Though 3D scanning and 3D printing are remarkably advanced at this point, there is still huge room for further developments that the future will offer. Now, the world can only think about these endless possibilities. Will there be readily available devices that could enable everybody to 3D print? Will 3D scanning require a wireless device that costs hefty bucks? Or will it be available in every smartphone that has a camera? 

It may be safe to expect, however, that this technology is gearing towards offering exceedingly realistic scans in minutes or seconds. In fact, the concept of NeRF, which stands for Neural Radiance Fields, was explored in 2020. The technology involves an intertwined neural network that can enable views of intricate 3D scenes based on some 2D shots. This technology has the capacity to revolutionize both the personal and professional aspects of life. 

The issue of things, however, lies in the accessibility of 3D modeling and scanning. The good news is that KIRI Innovations, a dedicated 3D scanning software firm, has been working on making the technology accessible to anyone and everyone through its KIRI Engine 3D scanner app. 

KIRI Engine: the Best 3D Scanner App 

The KIRI Engine 3D scanning app works with photogrammetry. The 3D scan app reconstructs an object in 3D based on the photos taken of it. With more pictures taken at various angles, the better the 3D scanner app is at determining the exact shape of the object. 

(Photo: KIRI Engine)

While photogrammetry comes with wonders, featureless objects (which have smooth surfaces and simple colors) could be a nightmare to traditional photogrammetry. The good news is that the KIRI Engine 3D scanner app does not just use photogrammetry but also a novel technology known as Neural Surface Reconstruction (NSR) in the Featureless Object Mode. The technology enables the app to snap objects that traditional photogrammetry cannot pull off. It also works with Neural Implicit Surfaces (NeuS) for the generation of a powerful 3D model. 

(Photo: KIRI Engine)

The KIRI Engine 2.10 also allows seamless integration with the Object Capture API of Apple. This feature allows users of iOS devices equipped with LiDAR to locally scan and generate 3D models. Not to mention, the KIRI Engine can even do on-device photogrammetry real-time. The LiDAR sensors of such iOS devices also enable low-texture objects to be captured, which traditional photogrammetry algorithms have previously found challenging. 

The app offers unlimited and free 3D scanning to its users. Not to mention, registered users can also avail of weekly free reports, so be sure to download KIRI Engine on Android and iOS. Anyone who needs real-world geometric data for 3D printing, 3D modeling, or 3D scanning projects can try out the app. 

KIRI Engine also has other advanced features, including decimation functionalities, high polycount, AI-object masking, and quad-mesh retopology. PBR materials are also included for 3D models that bear visual richness. Learn more about KIRI Engine here. 

(Photo: KIRI Engine)

How to Use the KIRI Engine 3D Scanner App

The KIRI Engine app is very easy to use. To start, just take some snaps all over and around the object. Be sure to rotate the object while snapping photos of it in order to ensure that the object is captured in different angles. Take over 20 photos from various heights and angles. The more photos KIRI Engine gets, the better results it gives. After snapping all the shots, the cloud algorithm will then process the data.

Users have various export format options to choose from. These formats include FBX, STL, OBJ, PLY, XYZ, GDTF, USDZ. Users can also export their 3D models to any 3D editor and major 3D printer slicer. 

KIRI Engine users can also adjust the polycount by choosing a low, medium, or high polycount depending on the use case. For instance, a high polycount may work for 3D printing, while a low polycount could be helpful for fast rendering for AR or games. Pro account users can also set specific poly counts for the model. 

FAQs

Is KIRI Engine really free? 

KIRI Engine has a free and pro version. The free version allows for 3 free scans exports each week, with a 70-photo limit per scan or project. 

On the other hand, the KIRI Engine Pro version allows unlimited scan exports, shorter queueing periods, uploads from local albums, and KIRI Engine Web access, which is KIRI Innovations' professional photogrammetry powerhouse fro web browsers. Pro users can also include as many as 200 photos for each scan or project. 

The Pro version costs $7.99/month  or $59.99/year. 

Should I capture full photos of the object I am scanning? 

It is not necessary for the scanned object to be fully visible in every photo. Taking close-up photos for more intricate details is allowed. The algorithms of KIRI Engine will figure things out for you. 

Can I use the KIRI Engine app to scan a building? 

Yes, KIRI Engine has been previously used for scanning buildings with a drone. Pro users can upload drone images from the app or from the KIRI Engine Web. 

What is the AI Object Masking feature all about? 

The AI Object Masking feature of KIRI Engine is essentially an algorithm that picks up an object's contours and removes the scan's noise and background. It is essentially similar to the Portrait Mode of your phone's camera, when the camera blurs everything else and focuses on your face. 

Conclusion 

KIRI Innovations has just made 3D scanning even easier and more accessible through the KIRI Engine 3D scanner app. Not to mention, the app is capable of producing highly intricate scans that are excellently colored within a matter of minutes. Users can access these features for free even without an expensive computer. 

For all 3D Scanning professionals and hobbyists alike, the KIRI Engine 3D scanner app is not something you can afford to miss out on. Get started with KIRI Engine now.