3D models and digital twins

A drone mapping project often ends in a 3D model, and those models are most useful when other people can open them. The tools here help capture, host and view 3D data of real places, from a single building to a whole site.

Cesium streams large 3D datasets, such as terrain, photogrammetry and point clouds, into web and desktop apps, and developers build on its platform. Polycam captures 3D models with a phone and can process drone photos into scenes. Luma AI turns video of a place or object into navigable 3D scenes. Sketchfab hosts and displays 3D models in the browser, which makes it easy to share a drone-made model with clients.

Before you publish a model, check who owns the data and whether the site or building owner is comfortable with it being public. Large models can also be slow to load, so test on the devices your audience uses.

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4 drone and aviation tools in 3d models and digital twins

Cesium

3D geospatial platform for streaming and viewing large 3D models, terrain and point clouds in web and desktop apps.

  • Free plan or free tier
  • Has an API

Polycam

3D capture app that creates models from phone photos and lidar, and can process drone photos into 3D scenes.

  • Free plan or free tier
  • Mobile app

Luma AI

AI company whose capture tools turn video of a place or object into navigable 3D scenes.

  • Mobile app

Sketchfab

by Epic Games

Site for publishing and viewing 3D models in the browser, often used to share drone-made models of buildings and sites.

  • Free plan or free tier

File sizes are a practical concern. Photogrammetry meshes and point clouds can be very large, so hosting tools often simplify or tile models for viewing. Keep the full-resolution data for measurement and analysis, and share a lighter version for viewing.

Digital twins are most useful when they are updated. A model captured once shows a site on one day; regular captures, kept in the same place, show progress, change and wear over time.

Check licensing on hosted models too. Some platforms let others download or reuse public models, so read the settings before you upload a client project.

Questions about 3d models and digital twins

What is a digital twin?

In this context, a digital twin is a 3D model of a real place or asset, often updated with new captures over time. It helps teams measure, plan and share information without visiting the site.

Can I make 3D models with a phone?

Yes. Apps such as Polycam and Luma AI create 3D models from phone photos, video or lidar. For large sites, drone photos processed with photogrammetry software usually give better coverage.

How do I share a 3D model with a client?

Hosting services such as Sketchfab or platforms such as Cesium let people view models in a browser without installing software. Check privacy settings before you share a link.

Are 3D models accurate enough to measure?

It depends on how the data was captured and processed. Photogrammetry with ground control can be accurate; quick phone scans are good for visuals but less reliable for measurements.

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