# 3D Scanners That Can Be Used In SketchUp **URL:** \ **Category:** SketchUp\ **Tags:** sketchup, modeling, 3dscan, suggestion, pipeline\ **Created:** [June 30, 2023, 3:38am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187 "2023-06-30T03:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pjiwonlim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@pjiwonlim](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pjiwonlim)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 3:38am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/1 "2023-06-30T03:38:31Z")
Hi All, I’m looking for a 3D scanner (either physical scanner camera product or applications/softwares using phone camera). I need to scan a ceiling for a project to see the pipelines in a 3D model. For now it is for the piplines, but I will be using it for future projects as well scanning other things other than pipelins. Better if I can use for both sketchup and autocad. If anyone has any suggestions pls let me know. Thank you!!! ps. it’s kinda urgent ---
**Author:** ![francisquitof](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/francisquitof/32/191263_2.png) [@francisquitof](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/francisquitof)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/2 "2023-06-30T06:37:49Z")
I think that any scanner or scan app will work, sketchup just needs the data from the scanner or app, the point cloud or mesh, it doesn’t matter how or what created it. you could even use a photogrametry software like meshroom and import the 3D Mesh from sketchup in case you don’t have a phone with Lidar for scanning. ---
**Author:** ![rtches](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/rtches/32/131827_2.png) [@rtches](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/rtches)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/3 "2023-06-30T13:36:48Z")
How far are the pipes? It’s really important… ---
**Author:** ![mballes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/mballes/32/130899_2.png) [@mballes](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/mballes)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 1:42pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/4 "2023-06-30T13:42:39Z")
Polycam works great with the iPhone LiDAR scanner and it is affordable. [https://poly.cam/](https://poly.cam/) ---
**Author:** ![Elmtec-Adam](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/elmtec-adam/32/120483_2.png) [@Elmtec-Adam](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Elmtec-Adam)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/5 "2023-06-30T13:46:14Z")
Scan essentials for sketchup supports all the standard point cloud formats that even the free LiDAR Scanner apps will output. .e57 , Las and Laz for example. Any iPhone or iPad with the LiDAR Scanner function can use it Polycam 3d scanner app SketchUp for iPad (beta) even has some built in functions for iPad Pro that can scan a room ---
**Author:** ![pjiwonlim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@pjiwonlim](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pjiwonlim)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/6 "2023-07-07T01:11:12Z")
Do you have a particular that you use often? ---
**Author:** ![pjiwonlim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@pjiwonlim](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pjiwonlim)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/7 "2023-07-07T01:12:56Z")
I’m not really sure cuz I haven’t seen the inside of the ceiling yet… but it is just a recording studio ceiling. it has 19 sprinklers… that’s the only info I have so far… ---
**Author:** ![pjiwonlim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@pjiwonlim](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pjiwonlim)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/8 "2023-07-07T01:15:13Z")
Yup I am also considering Polycam. Is it easy to import the data to SketchUp or do I need a sketchup extention to import the data files? Also, does it come in clean or do I need to do clean ups? ---
**Author:** ![duanekemp](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/duanekemp/32/66801_2.png) [@duanekemp](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/duanekemp)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/9 "2024-02-15T17:02:48Z")
> [@Elmtec-Adam](#): > > built in functions for iPad Pro that can scan a room Where does one find these built in scanning features/functions? Oops, sorry… yes! I was hoping a new, higher rez scanner was made available. It’s been awhile since using this. The scan feature is really for basic shapes, so a room is doable. Small desktop objects with any detail will have a hard time but, for rooms… good. ---
**Author:** ![judith.moses.design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@judith.moses.design](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/judith.moses.design)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/10 "2024-06-12T12:03:54Z")
Hello , I am seeking your guidance for best practices to capture a building Atrium of 140 feet long, 40 feet wide by 40 feet high. The main objective is to build a 3D representation in Sketchup, this will not be used for plans (precise measurement accuracy is not required). I am expecting to break up the space into quadrants and take multiple scans that I then splice them together. I typically use iPhone/iPad with LiDAR. I value any recommendations around process and equipment (e.g. Drone or a specific laser scanner?!?). Thanks in advance, ---
**Author:** ![aroberts](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/aroberts/32/80353_2.png) [@aroberts](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/aroberts)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/11 "2024-06-12T12:32:02Z")
I would hire a laser scanner for the day, perhaps a Trimble X7 with tablet and Trimble Perspective/Fieldlink software. ---
**Author:** ![judith.moses.design](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@judith.moses.design](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/judith.moses.design)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/12 "2024-06-12T13:43:18Z")
Thanks, will do, best regards, ---
**Author:** ![Subhabrata](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/subhabrata/32/230559_2.png) [@Subhabrata](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Subhabrata)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/3d-scanners-that-can-be-used-in-sketchup/234187/14 "2025-04-14T10:49:12Z")
If you’re looking to bring 3D scans into SketchUp, there are some great tools to make it easier. Apps like Polycam and Canvas let you capture scans with LiDAR and export them directly into SketchUp, so you can get started right away. If you’re using Trimble’s Scan Essentials, that’s another solid option for importing point clouds. For iPad users, SketchUp’s Scan-to-Design feature makes it simple to model spaces using LiDAR scans directly within the app. Just make sure your scanner exports in a format like OBJ or E57, and you may need to clean up the models a bit in SketchUp. These tools can really streamline the process of working with 3D scans in your designs!