Polycam

Polycam is an app that can use photogrammetry, gaussian splatting and LiDaR (with apple iPad/iPhone Pro models) to make 3D captures. It can be used for free and paid. The free version offers 20 object scans with a maximum of 100 images per capture. It also offers a free gaussian splatting tool. The paid version has unlimited scans and images per capture. Here's an overview of functions, both free and paid: https://poly.cam/pricing

Unlike in other software, the Polycam app helps you make scans. While you are circling around an object, the app takes photos for you and tells you when to slow down. It also shows you how much photos you have left. When in LiDaR mode, it overlays and previews the mesh that its building in real time. After you're done capturing, it uploads your images to Polycam where it builds your scans. You can view and download them online.

In general, use LiDaR when scanning spaces or environments and use photogrammetry for objects. Gaussian splats may work in scenarios where the object you're scanning has specular, fuzzy or translucent qualities. It is harder to convert into a mesh, however. A short description of when to use LiDaR vs Photogrammetry can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ6AWrzIx6c&list=PLqnRz-4Awhm7MXTpkgq9paJLC3ONJEBUX&index=1

Working with LiDaR, photogrammetry and guanssian splatting in Polycam:

Here's a tutorial detailing how to work with LiDaR in Polycam: https://learn.poly.cam/hc/en-us/articles/27419935601940-Creating-LiDAR-Captures

For photogrammetry, see this tutorial: https://learn.poly.cam/hc/en-us/articles/27425185907348-Creating-Photogrammetry-Captures-in-Object-Mode

And for Gaussian splatting: https://learn.poly.cam/hc/en-us/articles/27740818315668-How-to-Create-Gaussian-splats-on-Polycam-mobile

Taking your scans into other software

If you want to process your scans into software like blender or unity, Polycam has great tutorials on these topics on YouTube.

Blender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HxJiwihi6g&list=PLqnRz-4Awhm7MXTpkgq9paJLC3ONJEBUX&index=9&t=105s

Unity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEbDsxETQuE&list=PLqnRz-4Awhm7MXTpkgq9paJLC3ONJEBUX&index=14

Find more software use cases here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqnRz-4Awhm7MXTpkgq9paJLC3ONJEBUX