How to Use Render Mode

Render Mode provides three distinct visualization states—Scan, Mesh, and Clay—allowing users to toggle between textures, mesh, and shading. This functionality supports precise inspection and analysis by enabling the most appropriate representation for design, validation, and review workflows

Plan Availability

Render Mode is available across all Polycam platforms and subscription tiers for supported capture types.

iOS Web Android
Free ✅ ✅ ✅
Basic ✅ ✅ ✅
Pro LEGACY ✅ ✅ ✅
Business ✅ ✅ ✅
Enterprise ✅ ✅ ✅

Supported Capture Types

Render Mode is available for specific capture types. Not all capture modes support render mode functionality.

Capture Mode Render Mode Support Notes
Object Mode ✅ Photogrammetry captures only. Gaussian splats are not supported.
Space Mode ✅ Available for 3D mesh only. 3D Floorplans are not supported.
AI Capture ✅ Fully supported
360 Mode ❌ Not supported
Floorplan Mode ❌ Not supported

Render Mode Options

Understand the three different viewing modes available in Render Mode and when to use each one for optimal model analysis and presentation.

Scan: Offers a complete, detailed view of your capture, including all textures, colors, and materials. This mode provides a realistic representation of how the capture will appear in real-world applications, making it ideal for presentations, client reviews, and final model assessments.
Scan View
Complete model view with all textures, colors, and realistic materials
Mesh: Provides a wireframe view of your capture, displaying the underlying mesh structure and geometry. This mode is essential for examining the technical details of your model and identifying potential issues with mesh topology, polygon distribution, and structural integrity.
Mesh View.png
Wireframe view revealing the underlying mesh structure and geometry
Clay: Removes all textures and colors, presenting the model in a single, uniform color. This mode emphasizes the pure form and contours of the model, making it easier to focus on shape, proportions, and overall design without visual distractions from textures or materials.
Clay View).png
Simplified view focusing on form and contours without texture distractions

How to Use Render Mode

Accessing and switching between render modes is simple and intuitive across all Polycam platforms.

1Access Your Model

Open any processed capture in your Capture Library.

2Locate Render Controls

Find the render mode toggle in the viewer interface. This wil be located on the top right-hand side.

3Switch Between Modes

Toggle between the three render modes to analyze different aspects of your model:

  • Start with Scan for overall quality assessment
  • Switch to Mesh to examine mesh structure
  • Use Clay to focus on geometric form

Use render mode switching as part of your quality control workflow, as each mode reveals different aspects of your model that may need attention or refinement.