What ArcTron 3D does

ArcTron 3D GmbH is a privately held German firm founded in 2000 and headquartered in Altenthann, Bavaria, specializing in 3D surveying, digitization, and multimedia production for cultural heritage, archaeology, and monument preservation. The company runs a full process chain from optical measurement (terrestrial, mobile, and airborne laser scanning, photogrammetry, UAV flights) through digital processing (elevation and terrain models, photorealistic 3D models, CAD plans, digital twins) to physical model production via in-house 3D printing, CNC milling, and casting. Its technology stack combines proprietary software (aspect3D with AI contour detection, ArchaeoCAD as a CAD extension for archaeology, tGIS for field visualization, and CAD2GIS) with authorized resale of third-party platforms (RealityScan as Epic Games' DACH partner) and hardware from Leica, DJI, and Riegl.

ArcTron's customer base is dominated by German public-sector cultural-heritage institutions, state museums, archaeological directorates, and university research groups, with project work extending across nine European countries including Austria, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Poland. Notable reference projects include the Igel Column sub-millimeter documentation, the Heldburg fighting knights replica, the Cisterscapes transnational AR app, and the Emperor Constantine 3D reconstruction for Rome's Musei Capitolini.

The business operates three interlocking revenue streams: project-based professional services (3D surveying, multimedia, model making, VR/AR), hardware resale (Leica, DJI, Riegl equipment), and software licensing and distribution (proprietary tools and RealityScan). Pricing is predominantly quote-based for services, with publicly disclosed perpetual and subscription pricing for software (e.g., aspect3D at €999 perpetual, RealityScan at €1,296/year). Distribution is direct via inquiry-based sales for the DACH region, supplemented by app-store distribution for consumer-facing AR apps and authorized reseller partnerships for hardware and RealityScan.

Name

ArcTron 3D

Legal name

ArcTron 3D GmbH

Website

https://arctron.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ArcTron 3D is a German 3D surveying and digitization specialist serving cultural heritage, archaeological, and museum clients across the DACH region and Europe, combining laser scanning, photogrammetry, and UAV-based capture with proprietary archaeology software, VR/AR development, and in-house 3D printing for museum-quality replicas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage Documentation

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Photography Studios, Portrait (541921)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Immersive/Interactive Animation (AR/VR/Real-Time) (MPAHACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

3D Product/Explainer Animation (MPAHACAD)

Keywords

• 3D laser scanning
• Photogrammetry services
• Cultural heritage digitization
• Archaeological documentation
• 3D model making

Headquarters

HQ city

Altenthann

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 3D Surveying and Scanning Services: Professional surveying services including 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, UAV flights, airborne laser scanning, and object digitization. Delivered as project-based professional services to museums, archaeological institutions, and cultural heritage organizations.
2. Software Licensing and Sales: Resale and distribution of RealityScan photogrammetry software as official Epic Games partner. Sale of proprietary software including aspect3D, ArchaeoCAD, tGIS, and CAD2GIS. Revenue from perpetual licenses and subscriptions.
3. Hardware Sales: Resale of hardware including Leica total stations, GPS antennas, BLK360 laser scanners, DJI drones, Riegl laser scanners, and related surveying equipment.
4. Multimedia and App Development: Development of VR/AR applications, multimedia film production, 3D animations, interactive museum applications, and hologram solutions.
5. Model Making and 3D Printing: Production of museum-quality exhibition models, tactile models, architectural models, landscape models, and replicas using 3D printing, CNC milling, and casting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ArcTron 3D provides 3D surveying, laser scanning, photogrammetry, and digitization services for cultural heritage, archaeological, and monument preservation projects. The company also develops and sells proprietary software (aspect3D, ArchaeoCAD, tGIS, CAD2GIS), resells RealityScan photogrammetry software as an Epic Games authorized dealer, and distributes surveying hardware from Leica, DJI, and Riegl. Additionally, ArcTron produces museum-quality replicas via 3D printing, CNC milling, and casting, and develops VR/AR applications and multimedia content.

Product overview

ArcTron 3D is a specialized provider of 3D surveying, digitization, and multimedia solutions for archaeology, cultural heritage, and monument preservation. The company operates across three main areas: (1) Hardware products including Leica BLK360 laser scanners, Leica Flexline Total Stations, Leica GPS antennas, DJI drones, and Riegl VZ Series laser scanners; (2) Software including RealityScan (the Epic Games photogrammetry platform they distribute as authorized dealer), ArchaeoCAD (an AutoCAD/BricsCAD add-on for archaeological documentation), tGIS (tachymetric visualization app), aspect3D (3D object inspection and processing software), and BricsCAD (professional CAD software); and (3) Services including 3D surveying, UAV photogrammetry, multimedia production, VR/AR/MR experiences, app development, model making/3D printing, and archaeological consulting. The product portfolio combines specialized hardware for data capture with software tools for processing and visualization, unified by a focus on archaeological and heritage documentation workflows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Surveying and Laser Scanning Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Sub-millimeter accuracy scanning achieved for the Igel Column (22.5m monument)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Epic Games / Capturing RealitycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2021Official Epic Games authorized reseller (Silver Partner) for RealityScan (formerly RealityCapture) photogrammetry software in DACH region. ArcTron provides licensing, sales, business solutions, and consulting for the software. RealityScan is a leading photogrammetry solution that ArcTron uses internally and resells to customers.
• FIT AG (Lupburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing services. FIT AG produced the knight armor replica parts for the Heldburg project using SLS technology with metal coating (Galvanisierung). Long-term industrial partnership for high-quality 3D printing production.
• Leica GeosystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of Leica Geosystems surveying equipment including total stations, GPS antennas, BLK360 laser scanners, and related accessories. Products featured prominently on ArcTron's website with pricing and specifications.
• DJIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of DJI drones and accessories for UAV-based surveying and photogrammetry applications.
• Riegl Laser Measurement SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller of Riegl laser scanners including the VZ series for terrestrial laser scanning applications.
• Bauhaus-Universität Weimar - Virtual Reality and Visualization Research GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation and research projects with Professor Dr. Bernd Fröhlich and his team on innovative VR projects. This is described as a top-class academic research partnership focused on virtual reality research and visualization.
• EU-Expert Group (European Commission)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerArcTron is part of the EU Expert Group contributing to 'Basic principles and tips for 3D digitisation of cultural heritage' published by the European Commission. This positions ArcTron as a thought leader in cultural heritage digitization at the European level.
• GOETHE-LIVE-3D Project ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded research project on immersive museum experiences. ArcTron is a partner in this project focused on developing innovative approaches to cultural heritage presentation.
• ITN-DCH (Initial Training Networks for Digital Cultural Heritage)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded Initial Training Network for Digital Cultural Heritage - a transnational research and training initiative. ArcTron participates as an industry partner contributing practical expertise.
• 3D-Pitoti Research ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded research project focused on new technologies for rock art research. ArcTron contributes expertise in 3D documentation and visualization of petroglyphs.
• Cisterscapes Project Partners (17 sites across 5 countries)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransnational LEADER project with 17 partner sites from Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Poland. The network is linked by Cistercian monastic landscapes with the goal of achieving the European Heritage Label in 2024. ArcTron developed the AR app, multimedia content, and landscape models.
• University of Hamburg - Cluster of Excellence 'Understanding Written Artefacts'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership for digital conservation of historical artifacts using 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry. Collaboration with the Department of Computer Science for advanced digitization projects.
• Archäologische Staatssammlung München (State Archaeological Collection Munich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution partnership for high-resolution 3D scanning of original artifacts including the Langquaid treasure (33 bronze objects). Provided access to original finds for digitization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ScanLAB Projects: London-based studio delivering high-resolution 3D scanning, visualization and digital fabrication for cultural heritage, architecture, and film; comparable service offering and customer profile to ArcTron's professional services arm.
• Historic England (Heritage at Risk): Public body that commissions and conducts 3D laser scanning and photogrammetric recording of heritage sites in the UK, competing for the same institutional digitization mandates as ArcTron in adjacent geographies.
• CyArk: Non-profit that creates high-resolution 3D digital archives of cultural heritage sites worldwide. Most direct comparable to ArcTron's cultural heritage 3D scanning mission, though structured as a non-profit with a different funding model.
• Politecnico di Milano - 3D Survey Lab: Academic research group at Politecnico di Milano focused on 3D surveying for cultural heritage, a comparable academic-adjacent heritage digitization peer with similar methodologies and partner institutions.
• Factum Foundation: Specializes in high-resolution 3D scanning, facsimile production, and physical replica creation for cultural heritage, closely mirroring ArcTron's end-to-end digitization-to-replica workflow.

Broad incumbents

• Leica Geosystems: Global incumbent in surveying hardware (BLK360, total stations, GPS). Both a key reseller partner for ArcTron and a broader competitor that offers end-to-end surveying solutions to enterprise and government customers.
• Riegl Laser Measurement Systems: Austrian manufacturer of terrestrial, mobile and airborne laser scanners. Also an ArcTron hardware reseller partner, but at much larger scale across surveying, mining, and infrastructure markets.
• Trimble: Global enterprise technology company with a large Geospatial and AEC portfolio including 3D laser scanning, total stations and survey workflows. Competes with ArcTron in adjacent surveying software/hardware markets at much greater scale.
• FARO Technologies: Large US-listed provider of 3D measurement and imaging hardware/software for AEC, public safety and manufacturing. Operates broadly in the same laser-scanning space as ArcTron but lacks ArcTron's cultural heritage vertical specialization.

Emerging players

• Agisoft: Developer of Metashape, a leading standalone photogrammetry software competing directly with RealityScan. Comparable as a software-only player overlapping with ArcTron's RealityScan distribution and proprietary aspect3D offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/arctron
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arctron-3d-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ArcTron 3D