Direct Dimensions
Direct Dimensions is a privately held US 3D scanning and reality-capture firm that provides professional scanning, digital modeling, and inspection services — plus Artec 3D hardware distribution — to entertainment, federal/defense, museums, manufacturing, AEC, and healthcare clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersOwings Mills, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Direct Dimensions does
Direct Dimensions, Inc. (DDI) is a US-based 3D scanning and reality-capture specialist founded in the mid-1990s and headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland. The firm applies laser scanning, structured-light scanning, LiDAR, and photogrammetry to digitize physical objects, sites, and people, then converts the resulting point-cloud data into high-resolution, high-accuracy 3D CAD models for downstream manufacturing, inspection, visualization, and replication. Its core technology stack combines commercial scanners (including Artec 3D, Leica, and Matterport hardware it resells) with proprietary systems developed in-house: PASS, an automated small-object scanner; STAVE, a naval metrology inspection system with augmented-reality overlay; and bespoke photogrammetric rigs built from Raspberry Pi-powered camera arrays for specialized applications such as the Mayo Clinic infant CPAP-mask scanner.
DDI operates a hybrid business model: project-based professional 3D scanning services sold via quote-based engagements, complemented by hardware distribution as an authorized Artec 3D reseller. Its customer base spans six primary verticals — Federal/DoD (NASA, U.S. Navy, defense contractors), Entertainment/Media (Marvel Studios, Netflix, Sony, Disney+, Apple TV+, 20th Century Studios), Art/Museum/Sculpture (Washington National Cathedral, Jeff Koons Studio, Central Park Conservancy, Christie's), Architecture/Engineering/Construction, Engineering/Manufacturing, and Healthcare (Mayo Clinic). Go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales, marquee case-study content, industry events and demo days, university outreach, and distribution partnerships.
Founded and led by CEO Michael Raphael, the firm is privately held with no disclosed external funding and a small core team supplemented by project-based contractors. Recent strategic activity centers on productizing expertise through PASS, deepening the Artec 3D distribution relationship via the April 2026 Artec Jet East Coast launch, and expanding federal and medical engagements alongside its established VFX heritage.
Direct Dimensions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Direct Dimensions
- Legal name
- Direct Dimensions, Inc.
- Website
- https://dirdim.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Direct Dimensions is a privately held US 3D scanning and reality-capture firm that provides professional scanning, digital modeling, and inspection services — plus Artec 3D hardware distribution — to entertainment, federal/defense, museums, manufacturing, AEC, and healthcare clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Direct Dimensions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Scanning & Industrial Measurement Services
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metrology & Inspection Systems (CMM, Laser Trackers, Optical Comparators) (IMAAAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Scanning Hardware (Handheld, Desktop, Long-Range, In-Line) (IMAAAHAA), Scan-to-CAD & Reverse Engineering Software (IMAAAHAE), Inspection, QA & Certification for Finished Parts (NDT, CT, Surface Roughness, Documentation) (IMAAAGAM), Metrology Automation & Robotics (Automated Cells, In-Line Gauging) (IMAAAHAH), 3D Vision, Depth Sensing & Point Cloud Analytics (HDAAAEAK)
Keywords
Where Direct Dimensions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Owings Mills
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Direct Dimensions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional 3D Scanning Services: Project-based professional services for 3D scanning, digital modeling, and reality capture across diverse industries including entertainment, museums, architecture, and government/defense.
- 3D Scanning Equipment Sales: Sales and distribution of advanced 3D scanning and industrial dimensional measurement products, including Artec 3D scanners and related hardware.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Direct Dimensions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Direct Dimensions applies advanced 3D scanning and imaging systems (LiDAR, structured light, photogrammetry) to digitize physical objects and environments, converting raw point-cloud data into high-resolution 3D CAD models for downstream manufacturing, analysis, and visualization. The company provides project-based 3D scanning services across entertainment, federal/DoD, aerospace, museums/arts, architecture/engineering, and healthcare, and additionally resells Artec 3D scanning hardware. It also develops proprietary automated scanning systems, including the PASS (Part Automated Scanning System) and the STAVE inspection system for naval metrology.
Product overview
Direct Dimensions is a specialized 3D scanning services and solutions company offering a combination of services and proprietary products. Their core offerings include the PASS (Part Automated Scanning System) automated scanning product, alongside a comprehensive suite of 3D scanning services covering industrial measurement, VFX production support, and cultural heritage documentation. The company also distributes and resells advanced 3D scanning hardware including Artec 3D products and the Artec Jet mobile LiDAR system with AI-powered autonomy. They provide reverse engineering, CAD modeling, and digital twin creation services across industries including manufacturing, Federal/DOD, museums/archaeology, architecture/engineering, entertainment, and research/development. Their STAVE inspection system represents their custom product development capability for specialized industrial inspection applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PASS: Part Automated Scanning System - a 3D scanning solution designed to quickly and accurately digitize physical objects
Products and services
- 3D Scanning Services Project-based 3D scanning and industrial dimensional measurement services converting raw point-cloud data into high-resolution 3D CAD models for design, engineering, manufacturing, art, sculpture, and architecture customers.
- VFX Scanning Services On-site and remote 3D scanning of sets, props, vehicles, costumes, locations, and actors for film and television visual effects productions, with deliverable digital assets ready for downstream VFX pipelines.
- PASS (Part Automated Scanning System) Automated 3D scanning solution for fast, accurate digitization of small physical objects into 3D computer models for downstream manufacturing, analysis, visualization, and e-commerce applications.
- STAVE (Shaft Taper Analysis Verification Evaluation) System Custom automated inspection system that performs metrology-grade scanning and visualizes cylindrical part measurements via augmented reality, deployed at naval facilities for propulsion shaft inspection.
- 3D Scanning Hardware Distribution (Artec 3D Reseller) Authorized distribution and resale of Artec 3D scanning products and related hardware for customers seeking to purchase or augment their own reality capture capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Scanning accuracy to within 1 millimeter demonstrated on Genius of Connecticut sculpture reproduction
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Direct Dimensions
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Direct Dimensions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature4 records
Direct Dimensions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.
- Artec 3DflagshipDirect Dimensions is hosting the first East Coast launch event for Artec 3D's Artec Jet mobile LiDAR mapping system in April 2026. The partnership involves distribution and demonstration of Artec 3D scanning products including Eva, Ray, and Artec Jet scanners.
- Hatch XminorCo-hosting Artec Jet product launch event with Direct Dimensions and Artec 3D. Hatch X provides 3D printing capabilities for demonstrations.
- U.S. Navy/NAVSEAcoreParticipation in SIDE 2026: A Deep Dive into 3D Scanning industry forum co-hosted by Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. Direct Dimensions represented on Leadership Perspectives Panel.
- CAD BLUcoreJoint hosting of 3D Scanning & 3D Printing Demo Day in New York City to showcase 3D scanning and printing technologies. CAD BLU provides 3D printing equipment lineup while Direct Dimensions provides scanning expertise.
- Hatch XminorPartnership for 3D printing applications including full-size plastic test panel fabrication for sailboat window verification project.
- University of Maryland Clark School of EngineeringminorCollaboration to create replicas of Piscataway peace medals. Direct Dimensions provided 3D scanning while UMD's Terrapin Works facility handled 3D printing with metal printers.
- George Washington UniversityminorCollaboration with GWU engineering students for capstone project designing custom arm prosthesis. DDI scanned amputee's arm and provided CAD models for prosthetic design.
- Washington CollegeminorDDI conducted 'scan day' to showcase 3D scanning technologies for historic documentation. Data delivered in formats compatible with college's VR/AR Digital Imaging Studio (VARDIS).
- Westminster ARICminorDirect Dimensions digitally documented the Autonomous Robotics Innovation Center facility using Leica RTC360 and Matterport scanners for planning and marketing purposes.
- University of South FloridaminorCollaboration on Maya archaeology projects at Takalik Abaj site in Guatemala. USF heads the scanning research group while Direct Dimensions provides high-resolution 3D scanning services.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Direct Dimensions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology: Carl Zeiss offers high-end optical metrology, CT, and coordinate measuring systems used in aerospace and precision manufacturing. Comparable to DDI's higher-accuracy metrology engagements with NASA, Navy, and aerospace primes.
- Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Hexagon provides industrial metrology, optical scanning, and inspection systems (CMMs, laser trackers, structured light) used in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing. Highly comparable to DDI's STAVE-style custom inspection work and overall industrial metrology services.
- 3D Systems (Geomagic): 3D Systems owns Geomagic, a leading 3D scan-to-CAD and reverse engineering software suite. Overlaps with DDI's point-cloud-to-CAD workflow and reverse engineering services for engineering/manufacturing customers.
- Nikon Metrology: Nikon Metrology supplies laser radar, structured light, and CT-based metrology for aerospace and industrial inspection. Overlaps with DDI's high-accuracy scanning, inspection, and engineering services for federal and aerospace customers.
- Trimble Applanix / Trimble Geospatial: Trimble offers LiDAR, photogrammetry, and reality-capture solutions for AEC, geospatial, and infrastructure. Overlaps with DDI's LiDAR/location scanning, AEC as-built documentation, and architectural heritage work, but at enterprise scale with a global channel.
- FARO Technologies: FARO is a publicly traded global leader in 3D measurement and imaging hardware and software for manufacturing, construction, and public safety. Comparable to DDI's metrology and scanning offerings but at vastly larger scale and with a broad portfolio spanning hardware, software, and services.
Direct peers
- Creaform (AMETEK): Creaform, owned by AMETEK, manufactures portable 3D scanners and offers metrology/inspection services directly comparable to DDI. Both firms serve aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing inspection use cases with handheld structured-light and laser scanning technology.
- Artec 3D: Artec 3D is the hardware OEM whose scanners DDI resells and showcases (Eva, Ray, Artec Jet). Both companies target the same end customers (VFX, heritage, industrial inspection) with overlapping 3D capture offerings; DDI operates as both a customer/reseller and a services extension of the Artec ecosystem.
Regional players
- Maptek (Surphaser): Maptek, owner of Surphaser, makes long-range 3D laser scanners used in mining, archaeology, and heritage documentation. Comparable to DDI's heritage/archaeology scanning work (e.g., Takalik Abaj, Washington National Cathedral) and long-range scanning deployments, though focused on mining and APAC/LATAM geographies.
Emerging players
- Capture Reality: Capture Reality develops photogrammetry software that converts imagery into textured 3D models. Comparable to DDI's photogrammetric and 3D vision pipeline; positioned as a software-only emerging alternative to traditional service-based scanning workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Direct Dimensions social profiles
Digital presenceDirect Dimensions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Direct Dimensions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Direct Dimensions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Direct Dimensions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Direct Dimensions
What does Direct Dimensions do?
Direct Dimensions applies advanced 3D scanning and imaging systems (LiDAR, structured light, photogrammetry) to digitize physical objects and environments, converting raw point-cloud data into high-resolution 3D CAD models for downstream manufacturing, analysis, and visualization. The company provides project-based 3D scanning services across entertainment, federal/DoD, aerospace, museums/arts, architecture/engineering, and healthcare, and additionally resells Artec 3D scanning hardware. It also develops proprietary automated scanning systems, including the PASS (Part Automated Scanning System) and the STAVE inspection system for naval metrology.
Is Direct Dimensions a public or private company?
Direct Dimensions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Direct Dimensions founded?
Direct Dimensions was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Direct Dimensions based?
Direct Dimensions is headquartered in Owings Mills, United States, in the North America region.
How does Direct Dimensions make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Professional 3D Scanning Services are the primary driver. The others are 3D Scanning Equipment Sales.
Who are Direct Dimensions's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, 3D Systems (Geomagic), Nikon Metrology, Trimble Applanix / Trimble Geospatial and FARO Technologies. Direct peers are Creaform (AMETEK) and Artec 3D. Maptek (Surphaser) is listed as a regional player. Capture Reality is listed as an emerging player.
Does Direct Dimensions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Direct Dimensions.
What industry is Direct Dimensions in?
Direct Dimensions's product category is 3D Scanning & Industrial Measurement Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAHAC, Metrology & Inspection Systems (CMM, Laser Trackers, Optical Comparators), with a secondary code of IMAAAHAA, 3D Scanning Hardware (Handheld, Desktop, Long-Range, In-Line). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3827.