Can you capture high-quality 3D scans without professional hardware? MID student Aram Badr set out to answer this question by experimenting with 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS)—a cutting-edge technique for rendering 3D scenes—using only a midrange phone. Without LiDAR or specialized equipment, he relied on curiosity and an eagerness to test new workflows.

To put this method to the test, Aram documented one of the installations at OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, creating a Gaussian Splat Scan in March 2025.

 

What is 3D Gaussian Splatting?

3D Gaussian Splatting is a novel approach to rendering 3D environments by representing objects as Gaussian “splats”—essentially soft, overlapping point clouds that can efficiently reconstruct complex scenes with photorealistic detail. Unlike traditional 3D modeling, which relies on polygons or voxels, 3DGS enables real-time rendering while maintaining high fidelity, making it ideal for applications like VR, AR, and digital twins.

What is LiDAR, and Why Work Without It?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a scanning technology that measures distances using laser pulses, commonly found in high-end smartphones, drones, and autonomous vehicles. It allows for precise depth mapping and 3D reconstruction, but not all devices are equipped with it.

By skipping LiDAR and using only a standard phone camera, Aram’s experiment demonstrates a more accessible way to create high-quality 3D scans—making 3D Gaussian Splatting more practical for designers, artists, and researchers without expensive hardware.

 

Aram’s Workflow:

• Initial Scan: Captured using a midrange phone and processed via KIRI Engine – 3D Scanner
• Post-Processing & Cleanup: Enhanced in Supersplat
• Publishing: Integrated into PlayCanvas

His results highlight how Gaussian Splatting, combined with widely available software, can democratize 3D scanning and visualization.

Try It Yourself!

Interested in experimenting with 3D Gaussian Splatting for your own projects? Check out the Supersplat GitHub Repository for full documentation and start exploring this innovative technique!

Course Instructors: Prof. Hans Sachs M. Eng. Alexander Fillies

Student-Team:

• Christian K. S. Siebje
• Fernanda Graciano
• Esra Sadaghiani
• Yassmeen Sakr
• Adel Abdel Jabar
• Enrique Angulo
• Diellza Kolgeci I
• lyas Abdelmoula
• Abdallah Abujraiban