Space Mode captures three different outputs in a single scan: a detailed 3D LiDAR mesh, a 3D floorplan model, and a 2D floorplan with measurements. Choose what works best for your project needs.
Plan Availability
Space Mode availability varies by platform and subscription plan.
| iOS | Web | Android | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Basic | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pro LEGACY | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Business | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Enterprise | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Compatible Devices
Space Mode requires devices with LiDAR sensors to capture precise depth data. Only Pro and Pro Max iPhone models include this technology.
iPhones
- iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
iPads
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation and later)
What Space Mode Creates
Understand the three different outputs generated from your single scanning session and when to use each one.
Pre-Scan Preparation
Proper preparation is essential in creating successful scans. Follow this 5-minute setup checklist before you begin.
1Prepare Your Space
Keep the walking paths clear and plan your walking path.
- Doors: Open all doors you plan to scan before starting. Moving a door during an active scan, whether opening or closing it, can degrade overall capture quality. Additionally, the system needs to observe a door in its fixed, open position to accurately determine its swing direction in the floorplan.
- Lighting: Turn on all lights if possible, or use the flashlight to scan in darker areas.
- Obstacles: Prepare the entire space in advance so you never need to stop or adjust your environment mid-scan. Remove items from the floor and corners of walls so the app can accurately create a floor plan.
- Mirrors: Cover or avoid large mirrors and glass surfaces as these will interfere with the LiDAR sensor.
2Configure Scan Settings
Before starting, decide which outputs you need and adjust settings accordingly.
- Tap the + button on the home screen
- Select from capture options
3Position and Start Scanning
Start at the entrance and walk slowly along the left wall, aiming the camera in toward the center of the room.
- Begin at the entrance of the room
- Move along the left wall, aiming the camera inward toward the center of the room
- Tap the to start scanning
4Shutter Type Selection
Choose between Auto and Manual scanning modes to match your project needs and scanning preferences.
Shutter Type Options: Configure your capture method before beginning the scan.
- Auto Mode (Default): Automatically captures data as you move around the space. The device provides haptic feedback (buzzing) to confirm scanning is active and collecting data.
- Manual Mode: Gives you complete control over when to capture. Tap the center plus button to take each photo manually. Requires a minimum of 20 images with 70% overlap between consecutive images for proper reconstruction.
Scanning Technique
Master the scanning movement and visual cues for consistently successful captures.
1Move at Walking Pace
Move around the room at a steady walking pace. Too fast causes tracking loss and can cause "LiDAR drift". Move your whole body around the space rather than just moving the phone, as your body position matters more than phone movement.
- Blue grid disappear: Areas successfully scanned by LiDAR
- White outline appears: Floor plan boundaries being detected (if enabled)
- Hold your phone with two hands: A steady grip reduces motion blur and improves tracking stability throughout the scan.
2Capture Walls and Ceiling
Scan from floor to ceiling on all walls. This creates complete 3D geometry for accurate measurements.
- Tilt device up to capture ceiling corners and edges
- Scan behind furniture where possible
- Include doors, windows, and fixtures
- Make sure all walls show white outlines (if floorplan enabled), so it can accurately create the floorplans.
3Complete Room Coverage
Walk around the entire room, ensuring all surfaces are captured. Check for any remaining blue grid coverage, as that indicates the area has not been fully scanned.
The following tips can help improve scan quality and reduce common issues during capture.
- Fill in the blue grid: The blue grid indicates surfaces not yet captured. Keep scanning until the blue is replaced by white mesh across the entire space.
- Walk slowly along the left wall: Hug the left wall of each room and angle the camera inward toward the center of the room as you move around the perimeter.
- Move slowly: A slow, steady pace gives the LiDAR sensor time to capture complete data. Rushing is the most common cause of tracking loss and missing geometry.
- Wait for guidelines to appear: Guidelines (white outlines) confirm that a wall has been detected. If a guideline has not appeared around a wall, continue recording it from different angles until it does.
- Rotate your body, not the phone: When you need to change direction, turn your whole body rather than rotating the phone. Rotating the phone quickly can cause tracking loss.
- Scan each area only once: Avoid going back over areas you have already captured. Redundant passes can introduce artifacts and reduce model quality.
Multi-Level Scanning
Space Mode supports scanning multiple floors or levels in a single session, perfect for capturing complete buildings and multi-story homes.
Multi-level scanning uses the same scanning logic as regular Space Mode, but extends across vertical spaces. The key is maintaining continuous tracking as you move between levels.
- Start at the lowest level: Always begin your scan at the bottom floor of the building before moving to any upper levels
- Begin at the entrance: Start from the entrance and move along the left-hand side of the space, scanning each room as you go
- Scan in a loop: Work your way through the floor in a continuous loop, returning to the entrance point before proceeding upstairs
- Scan stairways thoroughly: As you make your way up the stairs, scan them continuously. Capture stairs from multiple angles including the steps, railings, and surrounding walls to ensure the device correctly connects the two floors
- Transition between levels slowly: Move at a steady, unhurried pace when ascending stairs to maintain tracking and ensure the stairway geometry is fully captured
- Scan connecting ceilings: Pay special attention to ceiling areas above stairs and between levels
4Finish and Process
When the room is fully covered (no blue grid remaining), tap to finish scanning.
Processing Options
You have several processing options for Space scans to customize settings based on your specific project needs.
Detail Settings for Space Processing in Polycam
| Processing Option | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Default | Optimized for speed using higher voxel size and increased simplification to reduce processing time, ideal for quick scans where less detail is required. | Large spaces where highest resolution is not necessary, and speed is prioritized. |
| Dense | Focuses on capturing fine details using a lower voxel size and minimal simplification. Results in detailed models but with longer processing times. | Scanning objects where details are important. |
| Custom | Custom processing allows you to manually refine specific settings to adjust how your capture is processed. | Captures where you want more control to fine-tune the results, rather than relying on the automatic processing of the other options. |
| Cloud | Similar to the Custom option, but will process using Polycam servers. Uses high-resolution images for more detailed scans of large spaces. | Larger spaces, such as multi-level housing or warehouses exceeding 5,000 square feet. |
How to Use Custom Settings
If you prefer more control, you can use Custom Settings to adjust specific processing settings.
Custom Processing Parameters
- Depth Range: This value sets the depth range to use for processing each frame of the capture sequence. The max range of 5m is set by the range of the LiDAR sensor. Restricting the depth range may be useful, for example, to exclude background material from an object capture.
- Voxel Size: The minimum voxel size to use when processing the capture. Smaller voxel sizes take longer to process and lead to more polygons.
- Simplification: The amount of simplification to apply to the mesh before texturing. For example, a simplification of 40% would reduce polygon count by 40% before texturing. Higher values result in lower-poly models.
Data Storage and Syncing
Understanding where your scans are stored and how to back them up is crucial for preserving your work.
Available Tools in Space Mode
After processing your Space Mode capture, you'll have access to a comprehensive suite of tools for analyzing, adjusting, and utilizing your 3D models and floorplans.
Additional Model Tools
- Measurement Tools: Take precise measurements directly on your 3D model
- Comments: Add notes to specific areas of your capture
- Export Options: Download in multiple formats including OBJ, PLY, USDZ, and GLB
- Sharing Controls: Set privacy levels and generate shareable links for collaboration
- Remesh: Adjust polygon count and texture resolution for your model
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
Solve common issues and optimize your scanning results with these proven techniques.
Scan Quality Checklist: Before finishing, verify no blue grid remain, all walls show white outlines, and corners are fully captured. A complete scan should have clear floor plan boundaries and smooth 3D surfaces.
- Tracking lost: Too much sunlight or moving too fast
- Missing walls: Insufficient lighting or reflective surfaces
- Incomplete coverage: Blue grid still visible. Keep scanning those areas
- Processing failed: Poor internet connection or device storage full
- Blurry captures: Avoid rapid rotation of the device. When you need to change direction, rotate your body rather than the phone to prevent motion blur.
Optimal Conditions: Best results occur in evenly lit rooms (all lights on), minimal reflective surfaces, and steady hand movement. Avoid scanning during golden hour or with strong directional sunlight.
File Management: Space Mode will be stored on your local device unless you select Cloud processing. Ensure you have at least 2 GB of free space available on your device.