Structure

Structure makes 3D scanning hardware and software for medical, clinical, and industrial applications. Its technology supports orthotic and prosthetic fitting, wound measurement, surgical planning, and patient monitoring. The Structure Sensor 3 attaches to compatible iPads and provides millimeter depth accuracy for body measurements. Developers can use the Structure SDK for raw depth frames, mesh extraction, foot measurement, and offline licensing; the SDK powers apps in healthcare, industrial inspection, retail fit-tech, and augmented reality. Structure Capture exports STL, OBJ, and PLY CAD files from compatible iPhones or iPads, and includes a Scan Quality Indicator designed to help reduce rework. The SDK identifies foot landmarks including metatarsals, heel point, and arch height. Capture supports specified TrueDepth-enabled iPhones and iPads on iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later, plus Structure Sensor ST01, ST02, and ST03. Pricing includes a seven-day SDK trial, Capture at $19.99 monthly or $199 annually, and a Sensor 3 at $995 one time. Commercial SDK distribution requires a contract.

Structure offers both scanning hardware and software, with tools for clinical workflows and developer use. Check device compatibility and licensing terms before choosing Capture or the SDK.

It may suit clinicians and industrial teams using 3D scanning workflows, as well as developers building scanning applications. Capture users should confirm that their device meets the stated compatibility requirements.

Overview

Structure combines 3D scanning hardware, a mobile capture app and a developer SDK for specialized measurement work. It is best suited to clinical teams and developers building scanning into healthcare, industrial or fit-tech workflows. Its focus on body measurement and clinical use is a strength for those jobs, but its paid capture options make it a poor fit for casual scanning.

Key features

Structure Sensor 3 attaches to compatible iPads and provides millimeter depth accuracy for body measurements. That makes it relevant to orthotic and prosthetic fitting, wound measurement, surgical planning and patient monitoring, where repeatable measurements matter more than broad consumer scanning features. The trade-off is the dedicated hardware purchase and the need to check iPad compatibility.

Structure Capture exports STL, OBJ and PLY files directly from iPhone or iPad. A Scan Quality Indicator is designed to help catch poor scans and reduce rework, a useful safeguard in measurement workflows where recapturing costs time. Capture supports TrueDepth-enabled iPhone X or later on iOS 16 or later, TrueDepth-enabled iPad on iPadOS 16 or later, and Structure Sensor ST01, ST02 and ST03.

The SDK provides raw depth frames, mesh extraction, foot measurement and offline licensing. It can identify foot landmarks including the first and fifth metatarsals, heel point and arch height, along with coordinate frames and the foot ground plane. That makes it more compelling for developers building specialized measurement tools than for teams seeking only a basic scan-to-file app. It supports point-cloud tools, mesh reconstruction, real-time capture and API access, with OBJ, STL, PLY, GLB, GLTF and 3MF export formats.

Structure says uploaded scans are encrypted, stored on secure servers, not sold or disclosed for unrelated purposes, and retained for no longer than three years. It says individually identifying health information it receives is handled in accordance with HIPAA requirements. These controls matter for clinical use, though organizations should still assess their own privacy and compliance needs.

Pricing

The Structure SDK Developer License costs nothing, billed as a 7 day free trial, and includes all SDK features for experimentation and prototyping. That is the lowest-risk route for developers evaluating the toolset, but it is a trial rather than an ongoing free plan.

Structure Capture Monthly costs $19.99 a month, billed monthly, for unlimited scans and exports; cancellation is available anytime through Apple Subscriptions. The Structure Capture Annual plan costs $199 a year, billed annually, with the same unlimited scans and exports and cancellation through Apple Subscriptions. Annual billing lowers the effective monthly cost for users committed to a year, while the monthly plan avoids that longer billing commitment.

Structure Sensor 3 for iPad costs $995, paid once as a one-time purchase and includes the first year of Structure Capture. Bulk orders require a sales quote. This is the dedicated hardware route for compatible iPad workflows, but it is a substantial upfront cost. The Structure SDK Commercial License has custom pricing; commercial distribution requires a contract, so the developer trial does not cover shipping a commercial product.

Platforms

Structure supports iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux across its product offering. Capture's stated compatibility is more specific: it requires a qualifying TrueDepth iPhone or iPad with the stated OS version, or a Structure Sensor ST01, ST02 or ST03. Supported inputs also include Apple LiDAR, but buyers should distinguish platform-level support from Capture's specific device requirements.

Who it's for

Structure is a strong fit for clinicians and service providers measuring bodies or feet, and for developers who need depth data, mesh extraction, landmark detection or offline licensing in their own applications. Industrial inspection, retail fit-tech and augmented-reality developers also have relevant SDK use cases. It is less suitable for occasional hobby scans, especially for users unwilling to pay a subscription or buy compatible scanning hardware.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Clinical workflows include orthotic and prosthetic fitting, wound measurement, surgical planning and patient monitoring, giving the platform a clear purpose beyond general object capture.
• Pro: Capture offers unlimited scans and exports on both paid plans, while the SDK exposes depth frames and foot landmarks for custom applications.
• Pro: Encrypted scan storage and a stated three-year maximum retention period address important handling concerns for biometric data.
• Con: Capture has no free plan; the free SDK offer lasts only seven days and is for experimentation and prototyping.
• Con: The $995 one-time sensor price and device-specific compatibility make dedicated hardware a serious commitment.
• Con: Commercial SDK distribution requires a contract and custom pricing, adding a procurement step for developers preparing a product launch.

Alternatives

3D Scanning Software is a broader category to compare before settling on a workflow.

• 3D Scanner App is worth considering for a free iOS or macOS option from a computer vision and spatial computing studio.
• JMStudio is a free choice for 3DMakerpro scanner owners who need STL, OBJ, PLY, ASC or RSCAN exports.
• Polycam suits users who want a free tier across Android, iOS and web, with limited capture allowances and GLTF export.
• Qlone offers a free download for scanning objects on iOS and macOS, with premium export, animated AR view and 4K scanning requiring an upgrade.
• Revo Scan 6 is a free alternative for owners of Revopoint 3D scanners who want scanning and post-processing software.
• RealityScan is a free-tier option for eligible individuals, small businesses, educational institutions and students.
• Dot3D may suit users seeking paid monthly plans for LiDAR or external-camera workflows.
• Scaniverse is another free-tier option available on web, iOS and Android.

Verdict

Choose Structure if clinical body measurement or a custom depth-scanning application is central to your work: its dedicated sensor, foot-measurement SDK and clinical workflow focus make that case specific and credible. Look elsewhere if you need a free casual scanner or do not want to commit to Capture billing, compatible Apple hardware or a substantial sensor purchase.