How do I make a 3D model of myself free? 6 Steps
Learn how to make a 3D model of yourself free using a phone, free apps, and simple steps—capture, clean up, rig, and share safely.
Posted on:
Oct 22, 2025
Posted by:
Arif Mostafa
TL; DR/Quick Answers
What: Use your phone and a free scanning app to capture photos, generate a 3D mesh, clean it in Blender, then share or rig it.
Why: Low-cost way to try 3D avatars, AR/VR, and website showcases before investing.
How: Good lighting, 60–200 photos around you, free apps (photogrammetry/AI), quick Blender clean-up, optional Mixamo rig.
Cost: $0 with free tiers; paid features may add exports or quality.
Timeframe: First usable model in 60–120 minutes if you prepare well.
Output: OBJ/FBX/GLB for web, AR, or game engines.
Risks: Privacy/consent; app terms; motion blur; poor lighting.
Key Takeaways
Start with free phone apps; don’t buy hardware first.
Use even lighting, a plain background, and stay still for sharper results.
Take many overlapping photos; consistency beats fancy gear.
Clean and simplify the mesh in Blender to reduce file size.
Auto-rig with Mixamo for basic animation.
Host on Sketchfab to share or embed on a site.
Respect privacy and app terms when scanning people.
How do I make a 3D model of myself free?
You don’t need a studio to make a 3D model of yourself. A modern phone, a free scanning app, and a little patience can get you a surprisingly good result. The process is simple: plan the shot, capture lots of clear photos as you (or a helper) move around you, generate a 3D mesh, do quick cleanup, then export and share.
This guide from 3D WebMasters keeps it beginner-friendly. You’ll learn practical steps, what to expect from free tools, and how to avoid common mistakes. You’ll also see safe ways to publish or embed your model—perfect for trying avatars, AR previews, or a fun “meet the team” section. Ready to experiment without spending a cent?
The basics: what you actually need
All you need is a recent smartphone, steady lighting, and space to stand still. A helper makes capture easier; otherwise, rotate slowly on a chair. Install a free scanning app (RealityScan, Scaniverse, or KIRI). Plan where the model will be used—web, AR, or games—to choose the right export (GLB/GLTF, FBX, OBJ). For cleanup, use Blender; for simple animation, Mixamo. Optional: A plain backdrop and tripod improve results. Keep battery high and storage free for 60–200 photos.
Phone + steady capture
A recent iPhone or Android works fine. A helper is ideal. If you must go solo, sit on a swivel chair or mark positions on the floor and rotate slowly.
Free scanning options
Two popular paths:
Photogrammetry: dozens of photos → 3D mesh.
AI/NeRF/Gaussian approaches: capture short video paths → dense 3D scene, often exportable as mesh.
Where your model will live
Decide up front: will you embed on the web, use in a game, or print? That choice decides your export (GLB/GLTF for web/AR, FBX/OBJ for DCC apps).
How do I make a 3D model of myself free? 6 steps
Prepare a plain, well-lit space; avoid shiny clothes. Stand still while a helper circles you slowly. Capture 60–200 overlapping photos (or a smooth video orbit). Import into a free scanner (RealityScan, Scaniverse, KIRI/Luma) and generate the mesh/texture. Open the result in Blender to delete floaters, fill holes, and decimate to ~50–150k polygons. Optional: auto-rig in Mixamo. Export GLB/GLTF for web or FBX for animation, then share via a Sketchfab embed. Keep a neutral pose for better rigging.
Step 1 — Prepare the space
Use soft, even lighting (no harsh shadows). Stand in front of a plain wall. Wear non-reflective clothing. Remove glossy accessories that can confuse scanning.
Step 2 — Capture
Have a helper circle you slowly or move the phone around you. Aim for 60–200 overlapping photos or a steady video orbit. Keep the phone at eye-level for one pass, chest-level for another, and a slight overhead angle for a third. Keep your expression and pose still.
Step 3 — Process in a free app
Import the photos/video to a free scanning app. Let it generate a mesh and texture. If your app offers quality presets, start “medium” to save time; you can reprocess “high” later.
Step 4 — Quick clean-up in Blender (free)
Open the mesh in Blender. Delete floating bits, fill tiny holes, and use decimation/remesh tools to lower poly count without losing the look. Save as GLB for web or FBX for animation.
Step 5 — Optional: auto-rig for animation
Upload the model to Mixamo for automatic skeleton/weights. Download with a sample idle animation to test. This is great for simple avatars, explainers, or website hero sections.
Step 6 — Share or embed
Upload to Sketchfab and set it to public. You’ll get an embed code for easy placement on your site’s About page or a product demo.
Free tools that actually work (and what to expect)
Start with phone-first apps: RealityScan, Scaniverse, KIRI Engine, and Luma 3D Capture. They turn overlapping photos or short videos into a mesh and texture. Results are solid for objects; people work if the lighting is soft and you stay still. Expect to do light cleanup in Blender and, if needed, auto-rig in Mixamo. Free tiers vary by exports and privacy (often public models). Export GLB/GLTF for web, FBX for animation, OBJ for simple exchange.
RealityScan (Epic)
Free to download on iOS/Android; guides you with AR coverage and uploads to Sketchfab. Great for objects; people can work with careful lighting and stillness.
• Official pages: RealityScan Mobile, App Store, Google Play.
Scaniverse (Niantic)
Free scanning with on-device processing, now supporting Gaussian splats and meshes; exports popular formats. iOS and Android availability noted by Niantic.
• See: Scaniverse site and support notes, plus Niantic product page stating free, unlimited splats and mesh export: Niantic Scaniverse.
KIRI Engine
Mobile/desktop app offering photogrammetry, NeRF/NSR, and Gaussian splatting. The App Store listing highlights a functional free version with weekly exports; recent updates have expanded free exports.
• See: KIRI site and iOS listing.
• Update news (2025): All3DP coverage.
Luma 3D Capture
AI-powered capture from your phone; impressive realism for scenes and people. Exports vary by plan; try the free mobile app first.
• Stores: iOS, Android.
Blender (cleanup) and Mixamo (auto-rig)
Blender is free, open source, and powerful for mesh cleanup and export. Mixamo offers free auto-rigging and animations with an Adobe ID.
• Blender: Download, About/License.
• Mixamo: FAQ, Site.
Capture tips that save your time
Use soft, even lighting and a plain background; harsh shadows ruin textures. Stay still while a helper circles you slowly. Capture 60–200 overlapping photos (or a smooth video), making two or three passes at different heights. Lock focus/exposure if your app allows to avoid brightness jumps. Remove shiny accessories and wear matte clothing. Fill coverage “gaps” the app shows. For the web, shoot medium quality first, test the result, then rescan higher only if needed.
Get the lighting right
Use soft, even room lighting (or shade outdoors). Avoid harsh sunlight and flicker. The flatter the light, the cleaner the texture.
Stabilize the subject
Stand tall in a comfortable pose. Keep your face neutral if you plan to rig later. Keep still; even small movements blur details.
Background and coverage
A plain background helps the software separate you from the scene. Circle slowly and aim for overlap between frames. If the app shows coverage heatmaps, fill the “cold spots.”
Know the limits
Phone scans are great for learning and web avatars. Expect softer hair edges and some cleanup around hands. That’s normal at $0.
Cleanup, rig, and export without pain
Open the mesh in Blender. Delete floaters, fill small holes, recalc normals. Use Decimate/Remesh to hit 50–150k polys for web. Unwrap/pack UVs and bake or resize textures (2K is safe). For animation, upload to Mixamo, place markers, and download an idle to verify weights. Export GLB/GLTF for websites (enable Draco/Meshopt if available) and FBX for game engines. Keep a master file; save a lightweight copy for embeds. Name materials clearly and strip unused nodes to avoid bloat.
Basic cleanup in Blender
Remove floating triangles (select → delete).
Fill micro-holes (Mesh → Clean Up).
Decimate to reduce polygons; aim for 50–150k for the web.
Recalculate normals if shading looks off.
Auto-rigging with Mixamo
Upload your T-pose or relaxed pose model. Place markers on the chin, wrists, elbows, knees, and groin when prompted. Download an FBX with an idle animation to verify the rig.
Export formats
GLB/GLTF: best for web viewers and AR.
FBX: common for animation and game engines.
OBJ: simple mesh + MTL; fine for archival or some tools.
Where to publish or embed your free model
Upload your model to Sketchfab for a fast, shareable viewer and copy-paste the embed on About or Case Study pages. For full control on your site, export GLB/GLTF and use a lightweight viewer (e.g., model-viewer or a Three.js component). Keep pages fast: compress textures, limit poly count, lazy-load the viewer, and provide a static thumbnail fallback on mobile. For Apple devices, consider a USDZ export for AR Quick Look links.
Sketchfab for viewing and sharing
Create a free account and upload. Use the embed code to place the 3D viewer on a page. It’s great for “About our team” sections or interactive bios.
• Sketchfab: Home and Plans.
Website embeds and performance
Compress textures to keep loads fast. Lazy-load the 3D viewer and defer heavy scripts. On mobile, offer a static image fallback to keep Core Web Vitals healthy.
What’s new in 2025 (apps and methods)
KIRI Engine “4.0” expands free exports and adds improved pipelines (photogrammetry/NeRF/3DGS), lowering barriers for hobbyists (All3DP, Sep 2025).
Scaniverse emphasizes free, unlimited on-device Gaussian splats and mesh export across platforms, helping fast, privacy-friendly scanning (Niantic Scaniverse product page, Scaniverse site).
RealityScan Mobile highlights free downloads for iOS and Android and direct Sketchfab upload, useful for quick sharing (RealityScan Mobile, App Store, Google Play).
Apple Object Capture remains a solid photogrammetry reference for those using macOS/iOS tooling (Apple docs).
Note: Some mobile apps are optimized for objects, not people. Always check the current app guidance and terms before scanning faces or bodies.
Safety, privacy, and consent (don’t skip)
Always get explicit permission before scanning anyone; for minors, obtain guardian consent. Treat faces as sensitive biometric data—avoid public uploads if unsure. Prefer on-device processing or local exports; if cloud is required, review terms, retention, and sharing settings, then delete source photos after export. Strip EXIF/location data before publishing. Use strong passwords and 2FA on accounts. If showcasing online, consider low-detail or stylized models. Check app/hosting licenses; some free tiers require public models.
Consent and storage
Get permission before scanning anyone. Avoid scanning minors without a guardian’s consent. Know where your files are stored—device, cloud, or app servers—and adjust privacy settings.
App terms and licensing
Read the free tier limits (export caps, public model requirements). Mixamo is free with an Adobe ID; Blender is free/open source. Sketchfab free plans may require public models.
Sensitive data
Faces are biometric data. Treat them carefully. If you’ll publish a head-only model, consider a low-detail or stylized version.
Troubleshooting quick fixes
Lumpy mesh? Capture slower with even lighting, add 30–50% more overlap, reprocess at higher quality. Holes in hair/hands? Shoot extra angles, then fill/close gaps in Blender and recalc normals. Blurry texture? Avoid glossy clothes, lock exposure, and move smoothly. File too heavy? Decimate to 50–150k faces and downscale textures to 2K; export GLB with compression. Auto-rig fails? Repose to a relaxed T or A pose, clean stray geometry, and retry Mixamo markers.
The mesh looks lumpy
Increase capture overlap and use softer lighting. Reprocess at a higher quality setting.
Holes around the hair or hands
Capture more angles and slow down. In Blender, fill small gaps or retopologize problem areas.
The model is too heavy for the web
Decimate in Blender and compress textures (e.g., 2K instead of 8K). Export GLB and enable Draco/meshopt compression where available.
Final Thoughts
How do I make a 3D model of myself free? Start with your phone and a free scanning app, capture patiently in good light, then do a quick cleanup and export. You’ll learn a lot in a single afternoon—and you can always iterate for higher quality later. If you’d like help preparing models for the web, optimizing performance, or embedding 3D on a high-converting site, 3D WebMasters makes it simple. Message us with your goal, where you plan to display the model, and a link to your first scan—we’ll suggest the fastest path forward.
FAQs
Can I make a 3D model of my face with just a phone?
Yes. With good lighting and many overlapping photos or a smooth video orbit, free apps can generate a usable head-and-shoulders model. Expect to do light cleanup in Blender to remove noise and reduce file size.Which free app is best for beginners?
RealityScan, Scaniverse, and KIRI Engine are friendly starting points. Each has different strengths (coverage guides, on-device processing, NeRF/3DGS). Try two, compare results, and keep the one that matches your workflow.Do I have to stand still the whole time?
Yes—movement causes blur and warped meshes. Ask a friend to move the phone around you, or rotate slowly on a chair. Keep expressions neutral if you plan to auto-rig.How long does a first model take?
Plan on 60–120 minutes end-to-end: setup (10–15), capture (15–30), processing (10–30), and quick Blender cleanup/export (20–45). Quality improves sharply after your first attempt.Can I animate the model for free?
Basic, yes. Upload your cleaned mesh to Mixamo for free auto-rigging and sample animations. For advanced facial animation, you’ll need more setup, custom rigs, or paid tools.How do I share it on my website?
Upload to Sketchfab and embed the viewer. For performance, compress textures, lazy-load the iframe, and offer a static image fallback on slow connections.What file format should I export?
Use GLB/GLTF for web/AR, FBX for animation and engines, and OBJ for simple mesh exchange. Keep polygon counts reasonable (often 50–150k for web).Will the result look exactly like me?
It can be recognizable, but fine hair and thin edges are challenging. Great lighting, more angles, and clean backgrounds help. You can stylize the result if realism is tricky.Is it safe to upload my face to cloud apps?
Review privacy policies. Prefer on-device processing when possible, or export locally and remove sensitive captures. Avoid public sharing if you’re concerned about biometric data.Can I use the model commercially?
Check each app’s license and your hosting plan. Blender is free/open-source; Mixamo requires an Adobe ID but is free to use; Sketchfab's free plans often require public models.
