How to Use the Rescale Tool in Polycam

The Polycam Rescale tool allows you to adjust the scale of 3D captures to match real-world dimensions. This tool is essential for obtaining accurate measurements, especially when working with models that require precise scaling.

Availability and Requirements

Plan Access

Rescale availability varies by platform and subscription plan.

iOS Web Android
Free ✅ ✅ ✅
Basic ✅ ✅ ✅
ProLEGACY ✅ ✅ ✅
Business ✅ ✅ ✅
Enterprise ✅ ✅ ✅

Capture Requirements

  • Available for: Photogrammetry and LiDAR captures only
  • Quality preservation: The Rescale tool can be used multiple times without affecting the quality of the capture
  • Non-destructive: It modifies only the scale, leaving the capture's resolution intact

How to Rescale a Capture

1Open Your Capture

Launch the Polycam app or access your captures via the Polycam web platform. Navigate to the Library and select the capture you want to rescale.

2Access the Rescale Tool

In the navigation bar, tap or click on Rescale to open the Rescale tool.

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3Set Reference Points

Select two points in your capture that you know the real-world measurement. For example, choose two walls, the edges of an object, or any identifiable points with a known distance.

Rescale_Connected_Points.png

4Input the Correct Measurement

After selecting your reference points, input the correct real-world distance between them. Polycam will automatically adjust the scale of the entire capture to match this reference distance.

Rescale.png
Accuracy Tip: For best results, choose reference points that are as far apart as possible and that you can measure accurately in the real world. This will ensure your entire capture is scaled correctly.

5Save the Rescaled Capture

Once you're satisfied with the rescaling, tap/click the Apply button on the top right-hand side to apply the new dimensions to your capture.

Rescale_Apply.png

6Upload to Cloud

After saving your rescale, click the upload button to save it. The scale will also be applied to the exported file.

Upload to Cloud.png

Best Practices

Choosing Reference Points

  • Maximum distance: Select points that are as far apart as possible within your capture for better accuracy
  • Known measurements: Use reference points with distances you can measure precisely in the real world
  • Clear visibility: Choose points that are clearly visible and easy to identify in your 3D model

Multiple Rescaling

The Rescale tool can be applied multiple times to the same capture without quality loss. If you need to adjust your scale after the initial rescaling, simply repeat the process with new reference points.

Export Note: Once you've rescaled your capture and uploaded it to the cloud, all exported files will maintain the corrected scale. This ensures consistency across all formats and platforms.