SnapTap Documentation
SnapTap is an augmented reality commerce platform that lets businesses transform physical products into web-based 3D AR experiences — and lets customers view those products life-size in their real environment before purchasing.
For Sellers (Brands)
Sign up, scan products with iPhone LiDAR, and publish AR-ready listings with QR codes. Manage your catalog, track performance, and grow with a subscription plan that fits your scale.
For Customers
Scan any SnapTap QR code with your phone. No app download needed. The product appears in your real environment at exact 1:1 scale through native iOS and Android AR.
iPhone Pro
Required to scan
Global Format
Universal 3D format
QR Code
auto-generated product QR
No App Needed
Customers can view AR in browser
Getting Started
Follow these steps to go from a new account to your first live AR product.
1. Create a Seller Account
Sellers register on the SnapTap website. You'll provide your brand name, username, email, and password.
- 1
Go to Sign Up
Click "Start Free Trial" or "Sign Up" from the navigation bar.
- 2
Fill in Brand Details
Enter your brand name (public-facing), a unique username (used for login), your email address, and a password.
- 3
Upload Brand Logo (Optional)
Add a logo image for your brand. This appears on your public profile in the marketplace.
- 4
Submit and Wait for Verification
SnapTap sends a verification link to your email. Your account is inactive until you click that link.
2. Verify Your Email
Check your inbox for an email from SnapTap with a verification link. Click it to activate your account. After verification, you can log in immediately.
3. Choose a Subscription Plan
Each plan includes a monthly quota of AR product scans — Products in Inventory. After choosing a plan, your quota is immediately applied.
| Plan | Scans / Month | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 20 | Testing & small catalogs |
| Growth | 50 | Growing brands |
| Enterprise | 80 | Large product libraries |
| Custom | > 80 (you choose) | Agencies & unique requirements |
4. Set Up the iOS App
All product scanning is done through the SnapTap Admin app available on App Store. The web dashboard is used for management, analytics, and settings only.
- Download the SnapTap Admin app from the App Store
- Log in with the same username and password as your web account
- The iOS app uses your iPhone's built-in LiDAR sensor to scan products
- After scanning, you upload the generated model directly from the app
Scanning Products
The quality of your final AR product is determined by how you scan it. Follow these guidelines to get accurate, photorealistic 3D models.
Device Requirements for Scanning
Compatible Devices
- • Any iPhone Pro / Pro Max with iOS 18 or later
- • iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
- • iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
- • iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max
- • iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max
NOT Compatible
- • Standard iPhone models (no LiDAR)
- • iPhone 11 series and older
- • Any Android device
- • iPad (scanning not supported in app)
- • iOS 17 or older
Scanning Tips for Best Results
Use Even, Diffused Lighting
Avoid harsh direct sunlight or a single bright spotlight. Soft, even lighting from multiple directions (like overcast daylight or softboxes) gives the LiDAR sensor the most accurate depth data and produces clean textures.
Walk Completely Around the Object
Move slowly and capture the product from all angles — front, sides, back, top, and any recessed areas. Missing angles will result in holes or flat patches in the final 3D model.
Use a Neutral Background
Place the product on a plain matte surface. Avoid cluttered backgrounds or identical-looking surroundings — the LiDAR sensor needs to distinguish the product from its environment.
Avoid Highly Reflective or Transparent Objects
Mirrors, glass, and chrome surfaces confuse LiDAR depth sensors. For such products, consider using a matte spray coating temporarily, or contact support for specialized scanning advice.
Capture Full Scale
SnapTap renders your product at the exact scale it's scanned. Make sure you capture the entire product (including legs, handles, etc.) consistently, as customers will see it at 1:1 real-world size.
Uploading to SnapTap
Once you finish scanning in the iOS app, you'll upload the model along with a product image and details.
- 1
Enter Details
Add the product name, description, price, and category. Upload a product thumbnail image (used in listings and your dashboard).
- 2
Choose Visibility
Set the product as Active (visible to customers) or Inactive (draft, not yet visible). You can toggle this anytime from the dashboard.
- 3
Scan Product
The SnapTap app captures the LiDAR data and generates a 3D model.
- 4
Submit
The app sends the model file and image to the SnapTap server. You'll immediately receive a confirmation — background processing starts right away.
Area Mode Functionality (New)
SnapTap now supports Area Mode, designed specifically for scanning rooms, portions of rooms, and large objects (like furniture or outdoor setups) that don't fit into a standard object scan.
- Optimized for large extents: Area Mode maps out wide geometry without restricting you to a single, small bounding box.
- Pause and resume: You can pause scanning at any time to move to a better vantage point, then resume without losing progress.
- Efficient memory usage: Scans large spaces effectively while ensuring stable performance on your device.
- Best for large-scale items: Ideal for big furniture pieces, room layouts, and vehicles.
Model Processing
After you submit a product, SnapTap's backend handles everything automatically. Here's exactly what happens behind the scenes.
The Processing Pipeline
Upload Received
The server receives your 3D model and product details. A product record is created in the database immediately — the model URL is set to "processing" while work continues in the background.
Product Image Stored
Your product thumbnail is uploaded to SnapTap's secured S3 cloud storage and linked to the product.
Model Conversion
The model file is converted to a global accepted format by SnapTap's conversion service. Platforms that do not accept global format, will have an accepted format for their platform. This is the longest step and typically takes 1–5 minutes.
QR Code Generated
A unique QR code is generated and uploaded. It links directly to the SnapTap AR viewer page for this product (e.g. api.snaptap.pk/model/name/{productId}).
Product Finalized
The product record is updated with the final model URL and QR code URL. Your scan quota is decremented by 1 and your active/in-active product count is updated.
You're Notified
A notification appears in your app: "Your product is converted successfully and is live"
Notifications
SnapTap sends in-app notifications for key events. You'll see them in the notification bell in the navbar.
- Product Ready — when your product finishes processing successfully
- Model Processing Failed — when your product fails to process
- New Customer Rating — when a customer rates one of your products
- New Customer Feedback — when a customer leaves a written review
QR Code Generation
Each product gets a unique QR code that links to its AR viewer page. The QR code is created automatically as part of the processing pipeline — you don't need to do anything.
- Download the QR code PNG from your product dashboard
- Print it on menus, price tags, in-store display cards, packaging inserts, or flyers
- Share it digitally via WhatsApp, Instagram, email, or embed it in your website
- The QR code never changes — it always points to the current version of the model
Inventory & Dashboard
The SnapTap web dashboard is your control center for managing your AR product catalog.
Managing Products
Your inventory page lists all your products with their status, thumbnail, QR code, and model link.
Active Products
Visible to customers on the SnapTap marketplace. AR views are tracked and counted toward billing.
Inactive Products
Hidden from the marketplace. AR views are not tracked. Use this for drafts or seasonal items.
Edit Product
Update the product name, description, price, category, or thumbnail image at any time. The 3D model itself cannot be replaced — re-upload as a new product.
Delete Product
Permanently removes the product, its 3D model, image, and QR code from SnapTap. This action cannot be undone.
Embedding the AR Viewer on Your Website
Every product has a shareable model viewer URL. You can embed it directly on your e-commerce website using an <iframe> tag.
Using QR Codes In The Real World
- Download the QR code PNG from the product detail page
- Print at 300 DPI minimum — at least 3×3 cm on physical materials for reliable scanning
- Add a short label like "Scan to View in 3D" or "See it in Your Space" next to the code
- Test by scanning with both an iPhone and Android before mass printing
- Use in-store shelf labels, printed menus, product tags, packaging boxes, or marketing flyers
Analytics & Billing
AR View Tracking
Every time a customer opens your product's AR viewer page (via QR scan or direct link), it is recorded as a model view. Views are tracked per product and per month.
The Insights section of your dashboard shows:
- Total AR views per product
- Monthly view trends
- Active vs. inactive product count
- Total models generated over your account lifetime
- Scans remaining in your plan
How Billing Works
SnapTap uses a two-part billing model:
1. Monthly Subscription
Your base plan fee. Covers your monthly scan quota and platform access.
2. Per-View Usage
AR views contribute a small per-view charge based on your plan rate. This is tracked monthly per product.
Changing Your Subscription Plan
- 1
Go to Payment & Subscription
Navigate to the Payment & Subscription page from the main navigation.
- 2
Go to Upgrade/Change Plan
Click on the Upgrade/Change Plan button.
- 3
Upgrade or Downgrade
You can upgrade or downgrade your plan by selecting the desired plan and clicking on the Upgrade/Change Plan button.
Customer Experience
From a customer's perspective, SnapTap is completely invisible — they just point their camera at a code and the product appears in their world.
Scan a QR Code
Customers use their native camera app (no QR reader needed on modern phones) to scan the SnapTap QR code printed on a menu, label, or display. They're taken directly to the product's AR viewer page.
AR Launches Automatically
On iOS, Apple Quick Look launches immediately after the 3D model loads. On Android, Google Scene Viewer opens via an intent. There is no manual 'enter AR' button to press — it just works.
True 1:1 Scale Placement
The product is placed in the camera view at exact real-world size. A chair looks exactly as big as a real chair. A dish appears the exact size as it would on the table. No estimation needed.
Rate and Review (coming soon)
Logged-in customers can leave a 1–5 star rating and a written review on any product they've experienced. Ratings are visible on the product listing and sent as a notification to the seller.
Save Favorites (coming soon)
Logged-in customers can save products to their favorites list to revisit or compare later.
Contact the Seller (coming soon)
From any product listing on the SnapTap marketplace, customers can contact the seller directly. No middleman, no e-commerce checkout required — just direct communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We're happy to help.