3Shape
3Shape provides advanced 3D scanning and CAD/CAM software solutions for dental professionals to digitize workflows, improve treatment precision, and enhance patient experiences through innovative digital dentistry tools.
Polycam
Polycam is a powerful 3D scanning application that uses LiDAR and photogrammetry to help you create high-quality 3D models, floor plans, and digital twins using your mobile device or web browser.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 3Shape | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Website | 3shape.com | poly.cam |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2000 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
3Shape
3Shape offers a comprehensive ecosystem of digital dentistry tools designed to move your practice or lab away from manual impressions and physical models. You can capture high-accuracy 3D scans of a patient's mouth using their intraoral scanners and then transition immediately into treatment planning. Whether you are focused on restorative work, orthodontics, or dental implants, the software provides the digital workspace you need to design precise crowns, bridges, and clear aligners.
You can collaborate seamlessly with labs and other specialists through their integrated cloud platform, ensuring that your digital files move quickly between stakeholders. The system is built to be open, meaning you can connect your scans with various third-party mills and 3D printers. By adopting these digital workflows, you reduce chair time for patients and increase the overall predictability of your clinical outcomes.
Polycam
Polycam is a versatile 3D scanning tool that turns your smartphone or tablet into a professional-grade modeling suite. By using LiDAR and photogrammetry technology, you can capture physical objects and spaces to create accurate 3D reconstructions. Whether you are an architect measuring a room or a game developer sourcing assets, you can generate high-resolution textures and precise geometry in minutes.
You can easily share your captures via web links or export them into over a dozen professional file formats like OBJ, GLTF, and DXF. The platform also features a collaborative social feed where you can explore thousands of free 3D assets created by the community. It simplifies the transition from the physical world to digital environments, making 3D capture accessible to everyone from hobbyists to enterprise teams.
Overview
3Shape Features
- Intraoral Scanning Capture accurate 3D digital impressions of your patient's teeth and gingiva in lifelike colors within minutes.
- Treatment Simulation Show your patients their projected results before treatment begins to increase case acceptance and manage expectations.
- 3Shape Unite Manage all your digital dental apps and patient cases from a single, intuitive interface that connects your entire workflow.
- Cloud Collaboration Share your 3D scans and design files instantly with dental labs and colleagues through a secure cloud-based platform.
- CAD Design Tools Design highly accurate dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and veneers using automated tools and anatomical libraries.
- Open Ecosystem Connect your digital files to a wide range of 3D printers and milling machines for flexible manufacturing options.
Polycam Features
- LiDAR Scanning. Capture large spaces and entire rooms in real-time with incredible speed using your device's LiDAR sensor.
- Photo Mode. Transform a series of photos into high-quality 3D models with detailed textures using advanced photogrammetry processing.
- RoomPlan Mapping. Generate accurate floor plans and architectural 3D models of interior spaces automatically as you walk through them.
- Professional Exports. Download your models in formats like .obj, .fbx, .stl, and .dae to use in Blender, Revit, or Unity.
- Web Editing. Upload photos from any camera to the web version for cloud processing and manage your library from your desktop.
- Measurement Tools. Take precise linear measurements and calculate area or volume directly within your 3D captures for project planning.
- AI Texture Generation. Enhance your models with AI-driven tools that help you refine surfaces and create realistic materials for your assets.
- Team Collaboration. Share private links with clients or teammates so they can view and interact with your 3D scans in any browser.
Pricing Comparison
3Shape Pricing
Polycam Pricing
- Unlimited LiDAR captures
- Limited Photo Mode captures
- Basic sharing links
- Access to Explore feed
- Web viewer access
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited Photo Mode processing
- All professional export formats
- Blueprint and floor plan exports
- Private captures and sharing
- Priority cloud processing
Pros & Cons
3Shape
Pros
- Industry-leading scan speed and accuracy for clinical use
- Seamless integration between scanning hardware and design software
- Excellent visual communication tools for patient education
- Open system architecture allows for flexible hardware choices
Cons
- Significant initial investment cost for hardware and software
- Annual subscription fees are required for software updates
- Steep learning curve for advanced CAD design modules
Polycam
Pros
- Extremely fast processing times for LiDAR scans
- Intuitive mobile interface makes scanning very easy
- High-quality texture resolution for photogrammetry captures
- Seamless export process to major 3D software
- Active community provides endless free 3D assets
Cons
- Requires latest hardware for best LiDAR results
- Subscription is required for most export formats
- Large scans can consume significant device storage