Iliad vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Iliad | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Procedural material & texture generation | 3D scanning & photogrammetry |
| Key Output | PBR textures (albedo, roughness, normal) & node graphs | 3D models, floor plans, point clouds (15+ formats) |
| Device Required | Any device with browser or 3D software integration | iOS LiDAR, Android ARCore, or drone/web |
| Latest News | No recent product updates; news covers unrelated topics | 2026-02: HDRI lighting toggle added on iOS/Web; improved library sync & floor plan editor |
| Best For | Game devs, technical artists generating procedural textures | Architects, forensics, product designers capturing real-world geometry |
Polycam and Iliad serve totally different needs. Buy Polycam if you need to capture real-world spaces, objects, or drone footage into high-fidelity 3D models and floor plans—it's a mature scanning platform trusted by Fortune 500 teams. Buy Iliad if you're a 3D artist building procedural materials from text or images, especially for game engines; it's cheaper but has a narrower scope.
Browser-based AI texture generator that outputs editable procedural node graphs, not flat images
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Polycam turns phone LiDAR, photos, and drone footage into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: Iliad vs Polycam
Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.
Iliad
No verifiable community signal. We scanned public discussion on Jul 6, 2026 and found posts matching the name “Iliad”, but could not establish that they are about this product rather than something else sharing its name. Rather than publish a score built on the wrong subject, we publish none.
Polycam
68 mentions across 5 sources · 42% positive — mixed (weighted across 5 sources)
Reddit, Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store
What users praise
- • Produces usable point clouds and meshes from a plain iPhone in a single site visit
- • Genuinely fast — users report scan-to-model turnaround in minutes, not days
- • Broad export coverage: seven mesh formats plus six point cloud formats
- • Fire investigators use it for measurements, 3D models, and Meta Quest walkthrough training
What frustrates them
- • Aggressive trial auto-billing: multiple users report $400/yr charges after 7-day trials
- • Long-standing Pro users report older scans reverting to unprocessable Draft status
- • Measurements and dimensions sit behind an expensive tier above the monthly plan
- • Floor plans described as poor and measurements 'very inaccurate' by paying users
Researched Oct 7, 2026
Who should pick which
- Architect needing floor plans from site scansPick: Polycam
Polycam automatically generates floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos—no manual drafting required.
- Indie game developer creating materialsPick: Iliad
Iliad's text-to-material and procedural node graphs integrate directly with Unity/Unreal for $9.99/mo, saving hours of manual texture creation.
- Forensics team documenting accident scenesPick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR and photogrammetry produce accurate 3D models with measurements and point cloud exports, trusted by professionals.
- Product designer scanning prototypesPick: Polycam
Capture real-world objects via iPhone LiDAR or photos into high-res 3D models for digital review, exportable in multiple formats.
- VFX artist needing custom tileable texturesPick: Iliad
Iliad's image-to-material and seed variation let you generate PBR textures quickly for use in Maya, Blender, or Unreal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Iliad vs Polycam: which should you choose?
Polycam and Iliad serve totally different needs. Buy Polycam if you need to capture real-world spaces, objects, or drone footage into high-fidelity 3D models and floor plans—it's a mature scanning platform trusted by Fortune 500 teams. Buy Iliad if you're a 3D artist building procedural materials from text or images, especially for game engines; it's cheaper but has a narrower scope.
Can I use Polycam to generate procedural materials like Iliad?
No, Polycam has a beta AI texture generator, but it's not a procedural material authoring tool—it generates textures from scans. For tileable procedural materials, you need Iliad.
Does Iliad create 3D models from photos?
No, Iliad only generates 2D textures and materials. For 3D scanning, use Polycam.
Are these tools compatible with each other?
Yes, you could scan a 3D model in Polycam, then create materials in Iliad and apply them in a 3D app—they serve different parts of a pipeline.
Which tool has a better free tier?
Both free tiers are limited: Polycam restricts exports and resolution; Iliad restricts resolution and export options. But Iliad's free tier is more usable for quick material experiments.
Do I need a LiDAR-equipped phone for Polycam?
No, Polycam also works with photos/video (AI photogrammetry) and drone footage. LiDAR improves scanning speed and accuracy.
Can I use Iliad offline?
No, Iliad requires an internet connection for AI processing. Polycam can capture offline on iOS/Android, but cloud processing needs internet.
What integrations does Polycam offer?
Polycam exports to 15+ file formats (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, etc.) but does not directly integrate with game engines like Iliad does.
Which tool is more affordable for teams?
Iliad is cheaper per person ($9.99/mo Pro+ vs Polycam Pro at $79/mo). But teams needing scanning capabilities may find Polycam's value indispensable.
More Iliad or Polycam comparisons
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026