Before a product can appear in augmented reality, it needs to exist as a 3D model. That model is the digital twin of your physical object — every curve, surface, colour, and texture translated into a file a phone can render in real space. If you're a business exploring AR, the 3D model is usually the first question: where does it come from, how much does it cost, and how hard is it?
What format does AR need?
AR platforms including ARView use two main formats. GLB (the binary version of GLTF) is the universal standard — it works on Android and in browser-based AR viewers. USDZ is Apple's format, used for the native Quick Look AR experience on iPhone. Both store geometry, textures, and materials in a single file optimised for real-time rendering on a phone.
The key technical constraints for good AR models are: reasonable polygon count (ideally under 100k triangles), efficient textures (1024×1024 or 2048×2048 pixels), and a file size under 10MB for fast loading. A model that ignores these will either fail to load or perform poorly on mid-range devices.
Method 1: Professional 3D modelling software
The traditional route. A 3D artist builds your product from scratch in software like Blender (free), Cinema 4D, Maya, or 3ds Max. They model the geometry, apply materials and textures, and export to GLB or USDZ.
This produces the highest quality results — perfectly clean geometry, accurate colours, optimised file size. It's the method used by major e-commerce brands and product studios. Cost ranges from $50–$500 per product depending on complexity. Timeline is typically 1–5 days per model.
Method 2: Photogrammetry (3D scanning from photos)
Photogrammetry software reconstructs a 3D model by analysing dozens or hundreds of photos of an object taken from different angles. Tools like RealityCapture, Metashape, or the free Meshroom can produce detailed, photorealistic models from a standard camera or even a smartphone.
The result looks exactly like the real object because it's built from photos of it. The challenge is that raw photogrammetry models need cleanup — they're often very high-polygon and require retopology and texture baking before they're usable in AR. Good for organic shapes (food, shoes, bags) where exact geometry is hard to model by hand.
Method 3: AI-powered 3D generation
The fastest-moving area. Tools like Luma AI, Spline AI, and various others can generate a 3D model from a single photo, a text description, or a short video scan. Quality has improved dramatically in 2025–2026 and is now genuinely usable for many product categories.
Luma AI in particular — available as a free iPhone app — lets you walk around an object for 30 seconds, and the AI generates a 3D model you can download as GLB. For textured objects with clear surfaces (furniture, packaged goods, shoes), results are often publication-ready with minimal cleanup.
For most businesses: use the Luma AI app to scan your product (free, takes 2 minutes), download the GLB file, upload it to ARView, and you have a live AR link. For hero products or premium launches, commission a professional 3D artist for a clean, optimised model.
Method 4: CAD-to-AR conversion
If your product was designed in CAD software — common in manufacturing, furniture, architecture, and product design — you already have 3D data. CAD files (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, Fusion 360) can be converted to GLB using tools like Autodesk Viewer, CAD Exchanger, or the export functions built into most modern CAD packages.
The conversion usually needs some work — CAD models often have extremely high polygon counts and no texture/material information. A 3D generalist can clean up and texture a CAD model significantly faster than modelling from scratch, making this a cost-effective route for industrial or architectural products.
Choosing the right method for your business
- Fashion / footwear / accessories → Luma AI scan or professional modelling. Photogrammetry works well for shoes and bags.
- Furniture / interior products → CAD conversion or professional modelling. Clean geometry matters for room-scale AR.
- Food / restaurant dishes → Luma AI or photogrammetry. Organic shapes scan well.
- Electronics / packaged goods → Professional modelling for accuracy, or Luma AI for speed.
Once you have your GLB file, uploading to ARView takes under a minute — and your customers can view the product in AR directly from a link or QR code, on any phone, without downloading an app.