RealityCapture The Fastest Photogrammetry & Laser Scan Registration Software
RealityCapture is an all-in-one photogrammetry and 3D scanning software by Capturing Reality (an Epic Games company) that combines photos and laser scans to create high-quality 3D models with unmatched processing speed.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Capturing Reality (Epic Games)
- Category
- Photogrammetry & Mapping
- Pricing
- Subscription
- Starting Price
- $0.01 /per image
- Best For
- Professionals processing both photos and laser scans
We use RealityCapture for professional projects. See our workflow →
What is RealityCapture?
RealityCapture, developed by Capturing Reality and acquired by Epic Games in 2021, is widely regarded as the fastest photogrammetry software on the market. It can process thousands of images and laser scans into detailed 3D models and orthographic projections in a fraction of the time required by competing solutions.
What truly sets RealityCapture apart is its hybrid approach: it seamlessly combines aerial and terrestrial photographs with laser scan data in a single project, producing highly accurate and photorealistic 3D reconstructions. The software leverages GPU acceleration to achieve processing speeds that are often 10x faster than alternatives.
At THE FUTURE 3D, we use RealityCapture for projects requiring photorealistic 3D models from drone imagery combined with terrestrial laser scans. The software's ability to handle massive datasets efficiently makes it ideal for large-scale site documentation, heritage preservation, and construction as-built modeling across our Southeast Florida service area.
RealityCapture Key Features
Comprehensive capabilities that make RealityCapture a professional choice for photogrammetry & mapping.
Hybrid Photo & Laser Scan Processing
Combine photos from drones, smartphones, and cameras with laser scans from any scanner into a single, unified 3D model. Automatic alignment across data types.
GPU-Accelerated Processing
Leverage NVIDIA GPU acceleration for processing speeds up to 10x faster than competing software. Handle thousands of high-resolution images efficiently.
High-Fidelity Mesh Generation
Create photorealistic 3D meshes with millions of polygons and 8K+ texture maps. Industry-leading geometric accuracy and visual quality.
Orthophoto & DSM Generation
Generate high-resolution orthophotos and Digital Surface Models from drone imagery with GCP support for survey-grade accuracy.
Coordinate System Support
Full support for geographic coordinate systems, GCPs, and RTK data. Transform and export in any projection system required.
CLI & Automation
Command-line interface enables batch processing and integration into automated workflows. Script complex multi-step processing pipelines.
RealityCapture Pricing & Plans
RealityCapture offers flexible subscription plans to match your needs.
PPI (Pay Per Input)
- Pay only for what you process
- All features included
- No monthly commitment
- Export all formats
Perpetual (PPI Credit Pack)
- 3,750 credits
- Never expires
- All features included
- Unlimited exports
Enterprise
- Volume licensing
- Priority support
- Custom integrations
- Multi-seat deployment
Don't Want to Buy Software?
At THE FUTURE 3D, we own RealityCapture licenses and use it for client projects. You get professional photogrammetry & mapping deliverables without purchasing software yourself. Get a free project quote →
RealityCapture Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Fastest photogrammetry processing engine on the market
- Seamlessly combines photos and laser scans in one project
- Pay-per-input pricing eliminates waste on small projects
- Exceptional mesh quality with photorealistic textures
- GPU acceleration dramatically reduces processing time
- Handles extremely large datasets (10,000+ images)
Limitations
- Windows only — no Mac or Linux support
- Requires powerful NVIDIA GPU for optimal performance
- Steeper learning curve than cloud-based alternatives
- Limited built-in collaboration features
Who Should Use RealityCapture?
RealityCapture is Best For
- Professionals processing both photos and laser scans
- VFX and gaming studios creating photorealistic 3D assets
- Heritage preservation and cultural documentation projects
- Construction firms combining drone and terrestrial data
- Surveyors needing fast turnaround on large datasets
Consider Alternatives If
- Mac users (Windows only)
- Users without dedicated NVIDIA GPUs
- Teams needing cloud-based collaboration workflows
- Beginners looking for simple one-click processing
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
- Operating System
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- RAM
- 16GB minimum, 64GB+ recommended
- Storage
- SSD with 100GB+ free space
- GPU
- NVIDIA GPU with 4GB+ VRAM (RTX series recommended)
Supported File Formats
Integrations & Compatible Platforms
How We Use RealityCapture
Our professional workflow leveraging RealityCapture for client projects.
Capture drone imagery with DJI Zenmuse P1 and terrestrial scans with FARO Focus Premium
Import all data sources into a single RealityCapture project
Align and register photos and scans using automatic matching and GCPs
Generate high-resolution mesh with photorealistic textures
Export to client-specified formats (OBJ, FBX, E57, GeoTIFF)
Deliver final models with coordinate system documentation
Deliverables We Produce with RealityCapture
Related Services Using RealityCapture
Compatible Equipment
RealityCapture works with data from these scanners and drones that we use.
RealityCapture Services Near You
We provide professional photogrammetry & mapping services using RealityCapture across Southeast Florida. 1-hour response time.
RealityCapture FAQ
What is RealityCapture?
RealityCapture is a photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction software developed by Capturing Reality, now owned by Epic Games. It creates 3D models from photographs and laser scans with industry-leading speed and quality.
How much does RealityCapture cost?
RealityCapture uses a Pay-Per-Input (PPI) model starting at approximately $0.01 per image. Credit packs are available starting at $3,750 for 3,750 credits. Enterprise licensing is available for organizations.
Is RealityCapture faster than Agisoft Metashape?
Yes, RealityCapture is generally considered the fastest photogrammetry software available, often processing datasets 5-10x faster than Metashape due to GPU acceleration and optimized algorithms.
Can RealityCapture process laser scans?
Yes, RealityCapture is one of the few photogrammetry tools that can combine photos and laser scans (E57, LAS, FLS, PTX) in a single project, producing unified 3D models from both data sources.
Does RealityCapture work on Mac?
No, RealityCapture is Windows-only software. It requires Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) and an NVIDIA GPU for optimal performance. Mac users can run it via Boot Camp or virtualization.
Why did Epic Games acquire RealityCapture?
Epic Games acquired Capturing Reality in 2021 to integrate photogrammetry capabilities into the Unreal Engine ecosystem. This enables creating photorealistic environments for games, film, and digital twins.
What GPU do I need for RealityCapture?
RealityCapture requires an NVIDIA GPU with at least 4GB VRAM. For professional use with large datasets, an RTX 3080 or better with 10GB+ VRAM is recommended for optimal processing speed.
Can THE FUTURE 3D process projects using RealityCapture?
Yes, we use RealityCapture for client projects across Southeast Florida. You get professional photogrammetry deliverables without purchasing or learning the software yourself. Contact us for a free project quote.
Need Professional Photogrammetry & Mapping Services?
We use RealityCapture for client projects across Southeast Florida. Get a free quote for your project—no software purchase required.