Niantic Spatial Scaniverse Personal Account FAQ

1. Which devices does Scaniverse support?

Scaniverse is available for both iOS and Android.

For iOS, the following iPhones support the Scaniverse app:

• iPhone 11 and newer

• iPhone XR / XS / XS Max

• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

However, only iPhones 12 or newer can capture and post splats.

And all iPads with an A12 processor or later:

• iPad (8th generation and later)

• iPad Air (4th generation and later)

• iPad Mini (5th generation and later)

• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)

• iPad Pro 11" (all generations)

Scaniverse supports Android devices with the following minimum system requirements:

• Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later

• At least 4 GB of RAM

• ARCore with Depth API

Note: At the moment, some older devices do not support creating Gaussian splats. However, they can use the LiDAR and photogrammetry modes of Scaniverse and can also view splats created by others.

2. Is there any cost to using Scaniverse?

Scaniverse is completely free to download and use for personal scanning and sharing.

If you want to use Scaniverse with business or developer features you’ll need to create a business account. Business usage may incur a fee for usage beyond our free tier. If you’re just using Scaniverse on the personal tier, you can keep using it for free.

3. Can I scan and upload the same place more than once?

Sure! In fact, it’s cool to see the same place at different times of day, seasons, and even weather conditions. (Though please be safe.)

4. Should I scan outward (capturing scene) or inward (capturing an object)?

Scaniverse can do both, but it’s crucial to move your location and position, because it needs to see the same thing from different angles to build a good 3D model. See the scanning tips above.

5. What is Gaussian splatting and why is it better than what came before?

Meshes use millions of rigidly defined and colored triangles to represent the surface of objects. Splats use millions of fuzzy balls floating in space with colors that fade at the edges to represent volume. It turns out that splats look more realistic because they do a better job of adapting features like lighting based on different viewing positions.

6. Does Scaniverse send data to the cloud for processing?

No, all scan data is processed locally on your device. Unless you choose to share, data will not leave your device. This also means you can do unlimited processing for free.

7. Do I need Internet access to scan and process?

Processing on the device is completely free and unlimited. However, if you want to generate splats and meshes of even higher quality, you will have to create a business account and send data to the cloud for processing, which may incur a fee for usage beyond our free tier.

8. Do I need to process right after scanning?

Since processing is done on the device, once you have completed your capture you can process whenever you want. You can then upload and share your work when you are back on the grid.

9. Can I convert my old scans to splats?

Yes, provided you have the raw data saved. To do so, open your scan, then press the … icon in the upper-right corner. Select Reprocess Scan, and then Splat.

10. When should I create a splat? When should I create a mesh?

Create a splat if:

• You want to upload your scan to the map.

• You want a photorealistic result with high-fidelity lighting and reflections.

• You want to capture beyond the 5-meter range of the LiDAR scanner or our photogrammetry mode.

• You want a result that models the background and sky.

Create a mesh if:

• You want to export the result to third-party 3D software or game engines.

• You want a standalone 3D model without a background.

• You need precise measurements.

11. Does Scaniverse still support meshes, LiDAR, and photogrammetry?

Yes, we will continue to support and improve our LiDAR and photogrammetry modes. For some applications, LiDAR and/or photogrammetry can be preferable to Gaussian splatting, and we intend to support these long-term.

12. Can I upload anything to the map?

No, there are rules and guidelines (see our Terms of Service), the most important being:

• Public places only, no private residences or otherwise restricted areas

• Don’t upload splats with identifiable faces without the person’s permission, or any personally identifiable information

• Avoid any content that is inappropriate, offensive, or harassing

• Respect intellectual property rights

13. Can I privately share content that doesn’t belong on the map?

Yes, you can create splats of an event or a private location, for instance, and share a video or private link with your network.

14. Can I share my splats on social media?

Yes, in two ways. You can export a cinematic video for easy uploading to your favorite platform. Or, when you share a splat on a map or upload to a private link, you get a URL that you can include in platforms that support links.

15. Can I build anything on top of splats?

In addition to sharing with friends and the world, you can use splats as the canvas for 3D experiences.

16. What can I do with meshes?

Scaniverse supports several file formats for meshes such as OBJ, FBX, USDZ, and LAS, which can then be imported into your favorite 3D editing or modeling software. You can also share meshes on platforms like Sketchfab.

17. Does someone need the Scaniverse app to see my splats?

No, you can share splats with anyone by sending them the link to your uploaded splat. They can interact with it in the browser. From the browser, you can get a code snippet to embed your splat in a webpage.

18. Can you explore the map in a browser?

For now, the only place to see splats on a map is the iOS and Android versions of the Scaniverse app. However, you can see and interact with individual splats in a browser if you have the link.

Top Ten Scanning Tips

Follow these tips to create high-quality scans and share them with the world.

1. Plan ahead. Make sure your phone is charged and weather conditions are safe for scanning.

2. Spend 1-3 minutes scanning for the best results. Any longer, and the quality may actually decline!

3. Walk at a slow, natural pace. Move your body and phone to capture objects and surfaces at various angles: high and low, near and far, face-on and at angles.

4. Adjust how you scan based on what you are scanning:

• Avoid people when scanning for the map. If someone walks by, lift your camera to capture a higher angle.

• Good lighting matters. Scans turn out best in bright, even light. Move even more slowly in dim settings.

5. Capture textures & reflections. Get multiple angles of shiny or detailed surfaces to help Scaniverse recreate them accurately.

6. Make sure to sharpen the blurry parts. As you scan, the scene will start by looking blurry and gradually sharpen to indicate where you have captured useful angles. Focus on the areas that are still blurry.

7. Process now or later. You can process your scan immediately or wait and keep scanning or use another app. Just keep Scaniverse open while processing.

8. Have fun and try new things! Gaussian splatting on the phone is a new technology and we're all learning how to do it best. Get more advice and share what you discover in the community.