3Dpresso - Creating 3D Models from Videos of Real Objects

Released in April of this year, the AI-powered online service 3Dpresso, which generates 3D models from uploaded videos of real objects, is now available on iOS as an app. The resulting models can be downloaded in OBJ or GLB format for use in DCC applications and game engines.

Despite the availability of numerous tools for creating 3D models from photos of real objects, some of which are free, 3Dpresso stands out in several ways.
Firstly, its MetaRECON engine combines traditional photogrammetry with "Neural Radiance Fields" (NeRF) to create and optimize volumetric representations of 3D objects from a set of source images. This engine generates "more accurate and stable reconstructions" compared to conventional tools, especially for untextured or reflective surfaces that photogrammetry alone may not reproduce with high precision.
Secondly, 3Dpresso employs generative AI to create various texture maps for 3D models, allowing users to input text prompts to define the appearance of the textures.

The process of creating a 3D model with 3Dpresso begins with uploading a video of the 3D object, captured with a smartphone or digital camera moving around the object to show it from all sides. Approximately one minute of video is required, featuring two full 360-degree views of the object: one shot facing forward and another at an angle to capture the top of the object. Higher resolution videos yield better results—Recon Labs recommends uploading footage in 4K, and the 3Dpresso YouTube channel provides examples of suitable videos for reconstructing props, furniture, and clothing.
The video is then processed on Recon Labs' servers, which typically takes "less than 30 minutes." Once processing is complete, 3Dpresso sends a download link via email. The resulting model can be downloaded in GLB or OBJ format with a diffuse texture of 1,024 x 1,024 pixels.

The quality of the 3D models appears suitable for real-time applications, including games and augmented reality projects, after some manual cleanup. The embedded video above demonstrates the workflow in Blender. 3Dpresso also features an AI-based texturing function that allows users to generate various texture maps by entering simple language prompts, such as "blue crystal" or "hyperrealism," to define the visual style of the result.

The new app enables capturing video of an object on an iPhone and uploading it directly to Recon Labs' servers for processing.

The 3Dpresso web application is browser-based, so it should work with any standard desktop web browser. Pricing is currently credit-based, and faster processing requests or downloading generated models or textures incurs higher costs. Free accounts receive 30 credits per month, which is sufficient for one 3D video upload. The Lite subscription typically costs $12 per month and includes 150 credits per month, while the Pro subscription typically costs $28 per month and includes 500 credits per month.
The iOS app is compatible with iOS 16.0. Subscription prices in the app are higher: the Lite subscription costs $17 per month, and the Pro subscription costs $40 per month. The copyright policy grants Recon Labs a non-exclusive license to use everything uploaded to 3Dpresso in their promotional materials, so it may not be suitable for commercially critical projects.