Artec Studio Lite: AI photogrammetry as an entry into 3D scanning and print preparation

Artec 3D is launching Artec Studio Lite, a slimmed-down variant of its 3D scanning software that is explicitly aimed at users who want to enter professional 3D workflows without special hardware. At its core is AI-powered photogrammetry that generates dense 3D models from photos and videos, supporting applications such as reverse engineering, visualization and preparation for 3D printing.

While Artec Studio Pro has been used for years in industry, medicine, cultural heritage capture and CGI, Artec Studio Lite adopts key functions of the full package but does without direct scanner operation. Instead, camera-based data acquisition is the main focus.

“With AI Photogrammetry, we’ve rolled out a game-changing feature for creating exceptionally lifelike 3D models. Now, with Artec Studio Lite we’re taking this technology even further and making it accessible to a wider audience,” said Art Yukhin, President & CEO of Artec 3D. “We’re also very excited to see what makers and engineers across industries can do with our all-in-one, reimagined solution, Artec Studio Pro.”

The software supports multi-camera setups and can merge images and video data from different devices, including drones. Algorithms automatically select the sharpest shots for texturing, which is particularly relevant for CGI, e-commerce and digital twins. Specialized routines do away with background masking, allowing objects to be captured on turntables or by hand without disruptive artifacts dominating.

“As our slogan says, ‘The power is in the software’,” added Yukhin, President & CEO of Artec 3D. “Artec Studio Lite is a self-sufficient, powerful solution for anyone who needs accurate digital twins. Whether for science, education, heritage preservation, forensics, CGI, or e-commerce, all you need is a camera, smartphone, drone, or even a microscope, together with Artec Studio Lite, to create ultra-realistic 3D models.”

For more technically demanding applications, Artec Studio Lite offers functions for scaling and analysis. Virtual rulers and CAD deviation reports are intended to enable accuracies down into the sub-millimeter range. Users can clean up meshes, close holes, smooth surfaces and prepare models for 3D printing before exporting them to common formats and further processing them in CAD or slicer software.

For users who want to generate reliable 3D data for additive manufacturing, research, forensics or heritage conservation without investing in expensive scanning hardware, the combination of AI photogrammetry and print preparation can be a pragmatic entry point.