The Free edition supports up to 50 photos or video frames, one GPU, and limited exports.
A small test project may not reveal the edition limits that affect a larger production or survey workflow.
Evidence source ↗
3DF Zephyr
3DF Zephyr is Windows desktop photogrammetry software that reconstructs 3D models, point clouds, orthophotos, elevation data and Gaussian splats from images and video.
7 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against pricing information, vendor documentation, product documentation. Supported by 6 documented sources.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
The feature assessment reflects documented reconstruction, surveying, export and scripting capabilities. Ease and sentiment scores are cautious: two G2 reviews are too few for broad conclusions, and one reviewer described a learning curve.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Overview
3DF Zephyr is a locally installed photogrammetry application from 3Dflow. It reconstructs 3D data from photographs and video frames, with outputs that include point clouds, meshes, orthophotos and elevation models.
The full edition adds surveying and measurement tools, laser-scan workflows, and Python scripting. Zephyr 9.0, released in July 2026, added Gaussian splat generation. The product is documented for Windows desktop use, and its editions differ in image limits, exports and processing features.
3DF Zephyr Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Teams and individual specialists who need a local Windows photogrammetry workflow for turning image or video captures into measured 3D models, point clouds, orthophotos or Gaussian splats.
Look elsewhere if
Users who require native macOS or Linux desktop support, or who need large projects in the free edition, may need another product or a paid Zephyr license, and should evaluate alternatives such as Agisoft Metashape or Meshroom instead.
Platforms
API, Desktop, Windows
TechZella assessment
7.7/10
3DF Zephyr — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- The complete edition combines photogrammetry outputs with control-point measurement, orthophotos, DEMs, CAD and survey tools, and laser-scan workflows.
- The version 9 release adds Gaussian splat generation to the reconstruction workflow, including the Lite edition.
- The vendor offers both perpetual licenses and a monthly subscription for the complete edition.
3DF Zephyr Pros & Cons
Pros
- Combines photogrammetry outputs with surveying and measurement tools in the complete edition.
- Offers free, perpetual and monthly licensing options.
- Exports to a broad set of 3D, point-cloud and mapping formats, with edition-specific availability.
- Version 9 adds Gaussian splat generation to the reconstruction workflow.
Cons
- The free edition is limited to 50 images or frames and restricted exports.
- Published desktop system requirements list Windows rather than macOS or Linux.
- The complete edition has a high listed perpetual price compared with Lite.
- The full edition is needed for the documented Python scripting console.
3DF Zephyr Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The complete edition and Lite require online activation.
Buyers should confirm their activation environment can reach the vendor's activation service.
Evidence source ↗The Lite perpetual license includes 12 months of updates; the vendor lists an update extension at 20% of the license price.
The license remains perpetual, but ongoing access to updates after the included period has a separate renewal cost.
Evidence source ↗3DF Zephyr Pricing & Plans
3DF Zephyr Free
€0
one-time
Free edition for personal use, limited to 50 photos or video frames, one GPU and restricted export options.
Check current pricing →3DF Zephyr Lite
€199
one-time
Perpetual license with 12 months of updates; supports unlimited images subject to available RAM and up to two GPUs.
Check current pricing →3DF Zephyr
€4,200
one-time
Complete perpetual license with full export, measurement, survey and laser-scan features; includes 12 months of updates.
Check current pricing →3DF Zephyr Monthly
€250
month
Subscription for the complete edition, listed as a 30-day subscription with automatic renewal that can be canceled.
Check current pricing →3DF Zephyr or 3DF Zephyr Lite trial
Free
30 days
Free 30-day trial available by request.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
3DF Zephyr Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
At a glance
Graphic Design Software| Decision factor | 3DF Zephyr | Agisoft Metashape | Meshroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free edition, €199 Lite perpetual license, €4,200 full perpetual license, or €250 monthly full-edition subscription. | Agisoft lists node-locked perpetual licenses at $179 for Standard and $3,499 for Professional. Source ↗ | Meshroom is distributed as free, open-source software under MPLv2. Source ↗ |
| Desktop platforms | Windows 10 and 11 are listed in Zephyr's system requirements. | Metashape downloads are listed for Windows, macOS and Linux. Source ↗ | Meshroom's current project site lists Windows and Linux downloads. Source ↗ |
| Automation | The full Zephyr edition documents a Python scripting console; Lite and Free do not include it. | Agisoft lists built-in Python scripting and a standalone Python module in its product comparison. Source ↗ | Not documented |
| Workflow | Zephyr provides a versioned desktop application with edition-specific reconstruction, survey and export features. | Not documented | Meshroom exposes its photogrammetry pipeline as editable nodes and graphs. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with 3DF Zephyr.
Agisoft MetashapePricing model: Agisoft lists node-locked perpetual licenses at $179 for Standard and $3,499 for Professional.
MeshroomPricing model: Meshroom is distributed as free, open-source software under MPLv2.
3DF Zephyr Features
Photogrammetry
- Automatic structure-from-motion reconstruction
- Incremental and global reconstruction pipelines
- Dense point-cloud generation
- Textured mesh generation
- Add photographs to an existing workspace
Survey and mapping
- Control points and distance, area and volume measurements
- Orthophotos, orthomosaics and DEM generation
- Contour lines and section extraction
- Projection-system tools
Scanning and 3D outputs
- Laser-scan import and registration features in the complete edition
- Gaussian splat generation in version 9
- Exports for point clouds, meshes and textured meshes
- Direct Sketchfab export
Automation and integration
- Python scripting console in the complete edition
- Direct export to Sketchfab
- Exports including DXF, USD, LAS, LAZ and E57, subject to edition
3DF Zephyr Specifications
| Deployment | Locally installed desktop software |
|---|---|
| Supported operating system | Windows 10 and Windows 11 |
| Minimum memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Recommended memory | 32 GB RAM |
| Minimum disk space | 20 GB free space |
| Activation | Online activation required for Zephyr and Lite |
| API and scripting | Python scripting console in the complete edition; separate FlowEngine C++ SDK offered for Windows and GNU/Linux |
| GPU | GPU acceleration supported; Free allows one GPU, Lite two GPUs, and the complete edition supports available compatible GPUs |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Locally installed Windows desktop application; Zephyr and Lite require online activation. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Hardware | The vendor lists 16 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk as minimum requirements, and recommends 32 GB RAM, an SSD and a GPU. Source ↗ |
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Export and data portability
The documentation lists exports including PLY, OBJ, STL, FBX, LAS, LAZ, E57, DXF, USD and ESRI i3s SLPK, with some formats restricted by edition.
Evidence source ↗Project licensing
The vendor states that its perpetual license has no project-locking mechanism.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.7/10Moderate confidence
The feature assessment reflects documented reconstruction, surveying, export and scripting capabilities. Ease and sentiment scores are cautious: two G2 reviews are too few for broad conclusions, and one reviewer described a learning curve.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 6 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- The complete edition combines photogrammetry outputs with control-point measurement, orthophotos, DEMs, CAD and survey tools, and laser-scan workflows.
- The version 9 release adds Gaussian splat generation to the reconstruction workflow, including the Lite edition.
- The vendor offers both perpetual licenses and a monthly subscription for the complete edition.
Important limitations
- The documented desktop system requirements list Windows 10 and Windows 11, not macOS or Linux.
- The free edition is limited to 50 photos or video frames, one GPU and restricted export formats.
- The full edition's listed perpetual price is €4,200, substantially above the Lite edition's €199 listed price.
Evidence-backed claims3DF Zephyr 9.0 includes integrated Gaussian splat generation. The Free edition is limited to 50 photos or video frames. The complete edition includes orthophoto, DEM, control-point, measurement and laser-scan features. 3DF Zephyr's documented desktop system requirements specify Windows 10 or 11. The full edition includes a Python scripting console, while Lite and Free do not. Zephyr can export models and point clouds in multiple formats and connect directly to Sketchfab. 3Dflow was established in 2011 as a University of Verona spin-off.
3Dflow's news archive dates the 9.0 release to July 14, 2026; its homepage describes Gaussian splat generation as a version 9 feature.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The official pricing page specifies a 50-photo or 50-frame project limit for the Free edition.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The vendor's edition comparison describes these capabilities for the full product.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The official system requirements page lists Windows 10 and Windows 11.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The scripting documentation explicitly excludes Zephyr Lite and Zephyr Free.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The export documentation lists formats by output type and edition, including direct Sketchfab export.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The company's official profile states that it was established in 2011 as a University of Verona spin-off.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10FAQ
See the product-specific buyer questions below for verified details about the Free edition, Windows support, the trial period and scripting availability.
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