How to Create a Scene

Scenes allow you to incorporate multiple captures into a space. You can use these captures to add furniture to a room, merge environments, and merge LiDAR-based rooms into one space.

Plan Availability

Scenes are available with the following subscriptions and devices:

iOS Web Android
Free (One Scene, Three layers) ✅ ✅ ❌
Basic (Three Scenes, Five Layers) ✅ ✅ ❌
Pro (Three Scenes, Five Layers) LEGACY ✅ ✅ ❌
Business (Unlimited) ✅ ✅ ❌
Enterprise (Unlimited) ✅ ✅ ❌

Create a New Scene

1Access the Create Menu

Open Polycam Web and log in to your account. On the left-hand side of the page, find and click the Create button.

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2Select Create a New Scene

A new Create window will appear. Select the Create a New Scene option.

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3Name Your Scene

Enter the name and description of the new scene.

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4Select Your Captures

Once you enter your name and description, click Next to select your captures. On the capture selection window, select the captures you want to add to the Scene and click Select Captures. This will create the scene with the selected objects.

Important: You cannot import Gaussian splat and floorplan models into a scene.

How to Modify Your Scene

You will be taken to the scene editor after you add your models to your scene. Your models will then load into the scene.

Adding Captures

To add more captures, select the Add button within the layers panel on the left-hand side.

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Scaling and Rotating Captures

You can adjust the captures in the scene by clicking on an object in the scene editor. A widget will allow you to move, rotate, and scale the capture.

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Pro Tip: Click directly on any object in your scene to access the transformation widget. You can then precisely adjust position, rotation, and scale to get the perfect placement.

Hiding Captures

Select the eye icon next to the capture name within the layers tab to hide a capture. Disabling it will hide that capture from view.

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Removing Captures from a Scene

To delete a capture, click the three dots (...) next to its name in the layers tab. Then, click the Remove button to remove the capture.

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Please note: Deleting the capture from the scene will not delete the capture from your account. Your original capture remains safely stored in your library.

Exporting a Scene

Users can export their scenes as a .glb file by navigating to the top-right corner of the page and clicking the export button.

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Export Format: Scenes are exported as GLB files, a compact 3D format that preserves your scene's geometry, textures, and transformations. This format is widely supported across 3D applications and web platforms.

Snapping

You can enable or disable object snapping in Scenes by tapping the magnet icon in the toolbar. When snapping is enabled, objects will automatically align to nearby surfaces and other objects, making it easier to position items precisely. Toggle the magnet button off if you prefer freeform placement.

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Snapping Benefits: Object snapping helps you align items to floors, walls, and other objects automatically. This is especially useful when arranging furniture or positioning architectural elements in your scene.

Swapping Objects

You can modify the scene by replacing objects with another capture within your library. To swap a capture, click the three dots (...) next to its name in the layers tab. Then, select the Swap button to replace the capture.

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Swap vs Remove: Swapping an object maintains the position, scale, and rotation of the original capture while replacing it with a different model from your library. This is faster than removing and re-adding when you want to try different options in the same location.

Best Practices for Working with Scenes

Scene Organization Tips

  • Name your layers: Give each capture a descriptive name in the layers panel for easier management
  • Use the hide function: Temporarily hide objects to work on specific areas without distraction

Performance Optimization

  • Model complexity: Use simplified versions of captures when possible for smoother editing
  • Export for sharing: Export completed scenes to share with collaborators or use in other applications