What Is Orbit Measure? Manifold's 3D Scanning on Any Phone Explained

Orbit Measure is Manifold's 3D scanning feature that works on any iOS or Android phone — no LiDAR hardware required. Here's what it is, how it works, and what contractors use it for.

What is Orbit Measure?

Orbit Measure is a feature inside the Manifold app that lets you capture a measurable 3D model of any room or space using your phone's standard camera. You walk a space for 10–60 seconds, record a short video, upload it, and Manifold's cloud processing returns a 3D model where you can take accurate measurements from any point.

It's accurate to within half an inch. It works on any iOS or Android phone. You don't need an iPhone Pro. You don't need LiDAR. You don't need a specialist.

How Orbit Measure works

Most 3D scanning apps rely on the LiDAR sensor built into iPhone Pro models. Orbit Measure takes a different approach — it uses your phone's regular camera to capture a short walkthrough video, then uses gaussian splatting (a photogrammetry technique) to reconstruct the space in 3D from the video frames.

The processing happens in Manifold's cloud. You shoot the video on site, upload it on your way back to the truck, and the model is ready by the time you're back at your desk.

What you can do with an Orbit Measure scan

• Take remote measurements — measure any dimension in the 3D model without returning to site. Accurate to half an inch.
• Document existing conditions — a timestamped, GPS-tagged 3D record of a space before work starts. The strongest possible evidence in a scope dispute.
• Create as-built records — scan a space after work is complete and share the walkthrough with engineers, owners, or the next trade.
• Share with clients — generate a browser link to the 3D walkthrough. No app required on their end.

Orbit Measure vs Floor Plan Scan

Manifold has two scanning features:

• Orbit Measure — any iOS or Android phone, produces a measurable 3D walkthrough model
• Floor Plan Scan — iPhone 12 Pro or newer only (requires LiDAR), produces a structured 2D floor plan with labelled dimensions

If you need a clean 2D floor plan with room labels and precise wall dimensions, Floor Plan Scan is the right tool — but it requires the iPhone Pro hardware. If you need a 3D record of conditions with remote measurement capability, Orbit Measure works on any phone you already own.

Which plan includes Orbit Measure?

Orbit Measure is included in the Photo+Scan plan at $24/user/month. The Photo plan ($16/user/month) covers GPS photos, checklists, and PDF reports but doesn't include Orbit Measure or Floor Plan Scan.

No seat minimums on either plan. Free trial, no credit card required.

Learn more about Orbit Measure or start your free trial.