Lidar Scan is available within an Onshape document only on iPhones/iPads that have the physical Lidar Scanner in the device (models that were created since 2020):

  • iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max

  • iPad Pro 11”/12.9”

To import a Lidar scan from inside an Onshape document

  1. Use the Plus menu and select Import from Scan to begin scanning using Lidar:

    Import from Scan command on Document Plus menu

  2. The Select a mode dialog opens. Select either:

    Select a mode dialog

    1. Environment Scan - Scan the surrounding environment.

    2. Object Scan - Scan a specific object.

  1. Tap the Environment Scan button to collect data:

    Lidar scan starting view

  2. Move your device slowly around the area or object you are scanning. Moving slowly and scanning as many angles as possible allows more data collection and results in a more robust scan.

    Once enough data has been collected, a notification appears stating you can now generate the GLB file.

  3. Tap Stop when finished scanning. The Generate Import message appears:

    Lidar scan image of a room

    If insufficient data is collected, a message appears.
    If sufficient data is collected, a notification that the scan is ready for import appears.

  4. Tap the Generate button to process the scan and upload it (import it) into the Onshape document.

    Once the import is complete, a tab is created within the document for the GLB file (in the CAD Imports folder) and a Part Studio tab is created called 'Scan' to hold the mesh data.

    Part Studio with GLB tab

The Part Studio contains an Import feature in the Feature list and a mesh Composite part in the Composite parts list.

Lidar scan in Part Studio

You can now use the mesh data to continue designing via mixed modeling.

  1. Tap the Object Scan button:

    Object scan example

  2. Place the dot at the center point of the object you wish to scan, move closer or farther, depending on feedback. Then click the Continue button:

    Object scan example

  3. When the bounding box is placed around the object, click the Start Capture button.

  4. Move slowly around the object you are scanning. Moving slowly and scanning as many angles as possible allows more data collection and results in a more robust scan. As segments are scanned, the spokes surrounding the circle start to fill in.

    Object scan example

  5. Once all the spokes are filled in, this segment's scan is completed. The following prompt opens. Press the Continue button:

    Object scan example

  6. The next prompt asks you to turn the object on its side. Once this is done, press the Continue button to begin the second pass:

    Object scan example

  7. When the second segment is completed, a prompt opens. Press the Continue button:

    Object scan example

  8. The next prompt asks you to flip the object on its opposite side. Once this is done, press the Continue button to begin the third pass:

    Object scan example

  9. When the third segment is completed, a prompt opens to explain that all segments are completed. Press the Finish button:

    Object scan example

  10. Click the Finish button to complete the scan. The scan is processed and the following progress bar appears:

    Object scan example

  11. When completed, the object scan is brought into a Part Studio (Capture) tab to hold the mesh data (first image below). A CAD Imports folder is also created to contain the scan's OBJ file (second image below):

    Object scan example Object scan example

The Part Studio (Capture) contains an Import feature in the Features list and a mesh Composite part in the Composite parts list:

Object scan example

You can now use the mesh data to continue designing via mixed modeling.