# Splatcatcher: LiDAR Capture — 3D Gaussian Splatting Capture

> LiDAR-based 3D Gaussian Splatting data capture for PC processing. (iPhone/iPad app by Warpgate LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splatcatcher-lidar-capture/id6759800588 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Warpgate LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1880739194)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-03-15
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splatcatcher-lidar-capture/id6759800588/reviews.md

## What is Splatcatcher?

Splatcatcher captures everything you need for 3D Gaussian Splatting training in a single session — images, camera poses, and a dense colored point cloud — using iPhone's LiDAR sensor. ***NOTE: You will then need to transfer this data to a PC for processing with splatting software like LichtFeld Studio, Postshot, etc. to get the final scene.***

Walk around any object or scene and Splatcatcher handles the rest. Each capture records the camera frame, full intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, and accumulates a spatially-deduplicated point cloud from the LiDAR depth buffer in real time. When you're done, export a ready-to-train .zip containing a transforms.json, point cloud PLY, and images — no COLMAP or SfM pipeline required. Just load the folder into LichtFeld Studio (free), Postshot (paid), or any other RealityScan-compatible system and you're good to go.

Features:
- Real-time dense point cloud accumulation from LiDAR depth with spatial deduplication
- Manual shutter mode with volume button trigger
- Continuous auto-capture mode with distance/angle thresholds and blur rejection
- Live camera-perspective and overhead point cloud preview during capture
- Tracking quality indicator with motion and feature warnings
- Loop closure guidance to improve reconstruction accuracy
- Exports LichtFeld Studio / Postshot compatible transforms.json with full camera intrinsics and extrinsics
- Binary PLY point cloud with per-vertex color
- One-tap .zip export to Dropbox, AirDrop, Files, etc for transport to PC for processing

Output is directly compatible with LichtFeld Studio, Postshot, and other tools that accept the standard transforms.json + images + point cloud format.

Requires iPhone 12 Pro or later (LiDAR-equipped device). Gaussian Splat generation generally requires a CUDA-capable PC.

## Key features

- Real-time point cloud accumulation
- Manual and auto-capture modes
- Live camera and point cloud preview
- Tracking quality indicator
- Loop closure guidance
- Export transforms.json and PLY point cloud
- One-tap .zip export

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splatcatcher-lidar-capture/id6759800588/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Spectacular For Splats

*2026-05-04*

For outdoor splats, this has been great, and capturing larger areas too, I have been trying to find that perfect gaussian splat app, or build one, and both have failed. This is the next best thing to Scanniverse, and this one is free. I honestly wouldn’t even mind a paid version if it had some features I am dying for.  Things I need implemented are 
  1. OpenGate capture 
  2. Frame Clarity Detection 
  3. No AI Processing on images 
  4. No Auto Focus (just wide open) 
  5. Highest Shutter Speed or at least adjustable for the environment.
6. Probably my biggest win (remote or offline sending of the splats/point cloud) limited by the iPhone is a bummer, I want to be able to send it to my MacBook or iPad m4/M5 to capture longer
7. Exportability for Colmap or other format, (PostShot) 
8. I really really love Scanniverse (now classic) splat on-device processing, and I am almost certain that’s IP to them, but it would be awesome to be able to scan via wifi and let the MacBook or a powerful computer do the computations and the phone just be the viewport.
9. Zip the files/folders before export, it seems to take forever to send that to a folder.
10.  Enable the entitlement to add the Application Data/Documents/Splatcam viewable in the browser so we can pull them from USB-C
11.  Keep up the great work, this is great and I love the Split View.

**Developer response:** Thanks so much for the kind words, Gmanmini! 🤘🏼 We're working on an update to address many of the things you've suggested! We also believe with offline SfM we'll get much higher quality camera extrinsics.

### 5/5 — A Game‑Changer for Gaussian Splatting Capture on iPhone

*2026-03-16*

SplatCam is an incredibly well‑designed and thoughtfully engineered app that finally makes high‑quality Gaussian Splatting capture simple and reliable on iPhone. From the moment you start a scan, it’s clear this app was built by people who deeply understand 3D capture workflows and the pain points of traditional pipelines.

**Developer response:** Thanks Mk tempo! We endeavor to keep making it better and better!

## Frequently asked questions about Splatcatcher

### What is Splatcam used for?

Splatcam captures images, camera poses, and a dense colored point cloud using your iPhone's LiDAR sensor. This data is then used for 3D Gaussian Splatting training on a PC.

### Does Splatcam require a PC?

Yes, Splatcam captures the data on your iPhone, but you will need to transfer it to a PC for processing with splatting software like LichtFeld Studio or Postshot to get the final 3D scene.

### What devices are compatible with Splatcam?

Splatcam requires an iPhone 12 Pro or later, as it utilizes the device's LiDAR sensor for capture. It is not currently supported on iPads or other devices.

### How does Splatcam export data?

Splatcam exports a .zip file containing transforms.json, a point cloud PLY file, and images. This format is directly compatible with software like LichtFeld Studio and Postshot.

### What is the age rating for Splatcam?

Splatcam has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in 3D capture technology.

### How often is Splatcam updated?

The latest version of Splatcam is 1.1, and it was last updated on March 16, 2026. Updates typically include performance improvements and feature enhancements.

### Is Splatcam free to use?

Yes, Splatcam is available for free download and use. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees associated with the capture functionality.

### Does Splatcam have ads?

No, Splatcam does not contain advertisements. Users can capture and export data without interruption from ads.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2.1 — 2026-08-29

- Projects over USB and in Files: every project is now stored as a ready-to-train COLMAP folder. Plug your iPhone into a Mac and drag it out of Finder, or open it from the Files app, no export step needed. Existing projects are converted automatically the first time you launch.
- 12MP stills in manual mode: single-shot capture now takes full-resolution photos instead of 4K video frames.
- Straight into capture: naming a new project now opens capture settings immediately.
- Fixes a lost last shot when tapping Done right after the shutter, and a stall opening large projects.

### 1.2 — 2026-08-24

- Splatcam is now Splatcatcher!
- On-device pose refinement: Refine tightens the camera poses using the LiDAR depth and corrects for autofocus drift. Frames it can't align are dropped, and the point cloud is rebuilt from what's left.
- COLMAP export: Export now writes cameras.txt, images.txt, and a colored points3D.ply, with intrinsics stored for every frame. LichtFeld Studio and Postshot read the folder directly.
- 4K capture on supported devices, with blur rejection and flying-pixel filtering
- Shutter speed control, so you can freeze motion in a bright scene. If it gets too dark to hold, capture switches back to auto and says so.
- Drag the live point cloud during capture to check your coverage from another angle
- The display no longer sleeps while you're capturing
- Devices without LiDAR now say so up front instead of failing at capture start

### 1.1 — 2026-03-16

No release notes.

## Related topics

[3d gaussian splatting](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/3d-gaussian-splatting) · [gaussiancapture](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gaussiancapture) · [gaussian splat](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gaussian-splat) · [gaussian splatking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gaussian-splatking)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*
