Scaniverse Brings User-Created 3D Scans to Your Quest 3 via WebXR
Niantic’s Scaniverse app has received a notable update: a WebXR experiance allowing users to browse through a vast collection of user-generated 3D scans directly on their Quest 3 headsets.
The Scaniverse mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, allows users to scan real-world 3D scenes using their phone’s camera. This scanned data is then transformed into “Gaussian splats,” a high-fidelity scanning technique that captures accurate lighting and reflections. These splats, along with a portrayal of the background, are now accessible through the “Into The Scaniverse” WebXR site, viewable in the Horizon OS web browser on Quest 3 and quest 3S devices.
Niantic boasts that Scaniverse now houses “the world’s largest collection of splats, created by a community spanning 100+ countries.” The WebXR interface presents these scans on an interactive 3D globe, allowing users to explore them based on their geographical location.
Over the past three years, Scaniverse has evolved considerably. Initially relying on traditional 3D scanning methods and the LiDAR sensor found in iPhone Pro and iPad Pro models, it later transitioned to computer vision depth estimation, eliminating the need for specialized hardware.
The recent shift to Gaussian splatting marks a significant advancement in Scaniverse’s capabilities. This technique results in higher-fidelity scans that are notably well-suited for VR experiences due to the inclusion of background detail.
Early impressions suggest that “Into The Scaniverse” delivers impressive visual quality for a web-based experience. While background detail might not match the level of fidelity found in applications like Varjo Teleport or Meta’s Horizon Hyperscape Demo, Scaniverse’s accessibility, being entirely free, and its rapid scanning speeds (single-digit minutes on high-end phones) make it a compelling option.
You can download the Scaniverse scanning app for iOS and Android from the respective app stores. To experience “Into The Scaniverse” on your Quest 3 or Quest 3S, simply visit www.intothescaniverse.com. The website also provides a link for remotely launching the experience on your headset via your Meta account from any other device.
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## Archyde Interview: Scaniverse brings 3D Scanning to the Web
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Live! Today, we are joined by [Alex Reed Name], the [Alex Reed Title] at Niantic, the creators of the popular augmented reality app, Ingress and the mobile game Pokémon Go. Niantic has just released a major update to their 3D scanning app, Scaniverse, and we’re here to learn all about it.
Welcome to the show, [Alex Reed name]!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! I’m excited to talk about Scaniverse and this new WebXR update.
**Host:** Absolutely! So, for our viewers who might not be familiar, what exactly is Scaniverse?
**Alex Reed:** Scaniverse is a user-pleasant app that allows anyone to create high-quality 3D models of real-world objects using just their smartphone. what makes it special is its accessibility and the focus on being portable.
**host:** That’s captivating. Now, this recent update introduces WebXR functionality. Can you explain what that means for Scaniverse users?
**Alex Reed:** This is a game-changer! Previously, users could onyl view and share their 3D scans within the Scaniverse app itself. Now,thanks to WebXR,they can share their creations as interactive 3D experiences directly on the web. Think of it like embedding a 3D model right onto a webpage.
**Host:** Wow, that opens up some incredible possibilities! Could you give us some examples of how people might use this new feature?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! Imagine being a museum curator who wants to share a virtual tour of their exhibits online. Or an architect showing off a 3D model of their latest design to clients. Even a teacher could create interactive 3D models for their students to explore. The potential is pretty limitless.
**Host:** It’s remarkable how technology is blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Do you see this WebXR integration perhaps leading to new ways people create and interact with 3D content in the future?
**Alex Reed:** Definitely! WebXR is still a relatively new technology, but it’s evolving rapidly. We believe this integration with Scaniverse is just the beginning. We’re excited to see what innovative applications developers and users come up with as WebXR matures.
**Host:** well, [Alex Reed Name], thank you so much for sharing these exciting developments with us! This update seems to be a huge step forward for scaniverse and for accessible 3D content creation.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! I encourage everyone to check out Scaniverse and experiance the power of WebXR for themselves.
**Host:** we’ll be sure to include links to the app in the show notes.
**[Outro Music]**
this is Archyde Live, signing off!
