What is Reality Capture?
The technology that turns the real world into a precise, explorable 3D digital twin — and it's simpler than you think.
The Real World, Digitised
Reality capture is the process of scanning a physical space — a building, a landscape, even an entire street — and creating a detailed 3D digital version of it. Imagine being able to walk through a building on your computer screen exactly as it looks in real life, measure any distance, and explore it from any angle. That's reality capture.
Scan
Walk through a space with a handheld scanner. The device captures millions of measurements per second.
Process
The captured data is processed into a detailed 3D model — either a Point Cloud or a Gaussian Splat (more on those below).
Explore
Use software to navigate, measure, animate, and share your 3D data with colleagues or clients — from anywhere.
What is SLAM Scanning?
SLAM stands for Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping. In plain English, it means the scanner works out where it is in a room at the same time as it maps everything around it — all in real-time.
Think of it like drawing a map of a building while blindfolded, but using lasers and cameras to "see" instead of your eyes. The scanner bounces lasers off walls, floors and ceilings, measuring the distance to every surface thousands of times per second. The result? A complete, accurate 3D model of the space — captured in minutes, not hours.
Unlike older surveying methods that require a tripod and long setup times, SLAM scanners are handheld and mobile. You simply walk through a space and the scanner does the rest.
Millions of measurements captured every second
Point Clouds & Gaussian Splats
When you scan a space, the data comes in two forms. Both have unique strengths, and modern scanners from XGRIDS produce both simultaneously.
Point Clouds
A Point Cloud is exactly what it sounds like — millions of individual points floating in 3D space, each recording a precise position and colour. Together, they form a detailed representation of the scanned environment.
Point Clouds are the industry standard for measurement, engineering and technical documentation. They're incredibly accurate, making them ideal for architects, surveyors and engineers who need precise dimensional data.
- Millimetre-level accuracy
- Industry-standard format
- Ideal for measurement & CAD work
- Perfect for engineering documentation
Gaussian Splats
Gaussian Splats are a newer technology that produces photorealistic 3D visuals. Instead of individual points, splats use soft, overlapping blobs of colour that blend together seamlessly — like millions of tiny paint strokes creating a lifelike picture.
The result looks almost like a photograph you can walk through. Gaussian Splats are perfect for presentations, marketing, film and visual storytelling where stunning visuals matter.
- Photorealistic quality
- Stunning visual impact
- Perfect for presentations & film
- Ideal for client-facing deliverables
XGRIDS — The Industry Leader in SLAM Capture
When it comes to handheld SLAM scanning, no one does it better than XGRIDS. Their devices are trusted by professionals worldwide and represent the cutting edge of reality capture hardware. XGRIDS partners exclusively with Veesus to deliver a complete capture-to-visualisation workflow.
TV & Film
XGRIDS PortalCam
Spatial Camera
Architecture
XGRIDS Lixel K1
Compact SLAM Scanner
Surveying
XGRIDS Lixel L2 PRO
Professional Scanner
From Raw Data to Captivating Deliverables
Capturing data is only half the story. Veesus software transforms your Point Cloud and Gaussian Splat data into breathtaking animations, images, videos and technical drawings that impress clients and win projects.
Animations & Video
Create cinematic fly-throughs and walkthroughs from your 3D data. Perfect for client presentations and marketing.
Stunning Images
Produce photorealistic renders and AI-enhanced visuals that bring your scanned environments to life.
Technical Drawings
Generate precise CAD-ready drawings and documentation directly from your scan data.
AI-Enhanced Output
Use Arena Intelligence to transform data into seasonal, atmospheric, and stylised visuals in seconds.
Why Professionals Choose Veesus
Friendly, Accessible Support
Real people who understand your work. Our support team are industry professionals who speak your language and respond quickly — no ticket queues, no jargon.
Cost-Effective Licensing
Enterprise-grade technology without the enterprise price tag. Our flexible licensing means you only pay for what you need — making professional 3D accessible to businesses of every size.
Market-Leading Technology
From AI-powered visuals to seamless CAD integration, Veesus pushes the boundaries of what's possible with 3D data. We don't just follow trends — we set them.