InstantMesh vs Polycam

InstantMesh is a free, Apache-licensed framework that generates a 3D mesh from one image using the LRM/Instant3D architecture. It runs on Linux in a local or self-hosted setup. A Gradio demo starts with `python app.py`, while `run.py` offers command-line generation. The default export is an OBJ mesh with vertex colors; an alternative adds a texture map and takes longer. rembg can segment the foreground object, or that step can be skipped when the source already has an alpha mask. Four sparse-view reconstruction model variants and a customized Zero123++ UNet for white-background image generation are included. Docker deployment is documented. The recommended environment uses Python 3.10 or later, PyTorch 2.1.0 or later and CUDA 12.1 or later; two GPUs can reduce demo memory use. Training code is included, but the training dataset is unavailable because of its size. Community implementations are noted for ComfyUI, Replicate and Google Colab.

Polycam is AI reality capture software for professionals who document, measure and design. It uses AI-assisted photogrammetry and LiDAR to capture spaces, construction sites, facilities, products and materials in 3D, and it can create shareable 3D object models. Users can generate customizable 2D floor plans; paid plans also list instant 3D and editable 2D floor plans. Drone footage can be processed into expansive 3D models. Polycam is available on Android, iOS and web browsers, though Space Mode scanning is limited to compatible iOS devices. Listed exports include GLTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, point cloud formats and DXF; named workflows include Blender, Unity, SketchUp and Xactimate. Free access has limited space, object and AI captures, with GLTF exports and public link sharing. Basic costs $150 a year, equivalent to $12.50 per month when billed yearly. Seven-day trials are offered with annual Basic and Business plans, but not monthly plans or Enterprise. Business is listed at $400 a year and Enterprise at $1,200 a year.