Universal Rocks is a testament to the evolution of artistry and technology, a family legacy that has transformed the way artificial rock replicas are conceived and crafted. Founded by Stuart Dunne in Australia, the company's roots are deeply embedded in a passion for creating immersive environments, a passion ignited when he visited Disneyland during his 20s and saw the magic of crafted landscapes. This dedication to realism and craftsmanship was passed down to his son, Ben Dunne, who has been pivotal in driving the company's innovation, especially since their move to Dallas, Texas, 17 years ago.

Today, Universal Rocks provides their artificial rock creations to a diverse clientele including homeowners enhancing their backyard pools, set designers crafting immersive film sets, and commercial landscapers designing elaborate themed environments.

In the early days, Universal Rocks relied on traditional sculpting and molding techniques, a labor-intensive process that required meticulous attention to detail. Today, the company leverages cutting-edge materials like high-density polyurethane and advanced coating technologies to achieve unparalleled realism and durability. However, the challenge of accurately representing the intricate details of their artificial rock replicas to customers persisted.

"Pictures never do it justice," Ben Dunne, Co-owner of Universal Rocks, explains. "We've struggled with that for years. We needed to convey the true feeling of our products, the texture, the depth, the sheer presence of our rock creations."

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Overcoming the Inventory Imaging Challenge

Before discovering Polycam, Dunne faced a significant hurdle in their workflow. “We used a Canon 5D Mark IV, and we placed rock creations on a specialized turntable, utilizing special software to capture thousands of high-resolution images. It took weeks, and thousands of images, a huge pain,” Dunne recalls.

From Turntables to Phones: Unlocking Mobile 3D Speed and Accessibility 

Before finding Polycam, Dunne researched scan service providers to save himself the hassle of in-house scanning. However, he found that the costs were prohibitive, and the training and briefing required to ensure the service providers understood the intricate details of their rock replicas was a significant hurdle.

Dunne tried several scanning technologies that require the placement of numerous reference points on the object. 'It was a nightmare,' Dunne recalls. 'Too many dots, and they never lined up correctly.’ This experience highlighted the need for a more straightforward and accurate scanning solution.

Then, Dunne discovered Polycam through word-of-mouth. The introduction of Polycam marked a transformative moment for Universal Rocks. "I couldn't believe it," Dunne remembers. "It was doing what my $15,000 Canon setup did, right on my phone." Dunne found that with Polycam, he could scan and rescan as much as needed, because it was so easy to use.

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Dunne began experimenting with both Polycam's Space Mode and Object Mode. Object Mode, which uses photogrammetry to capture detailed 3D models from a series of photographs, is excellent for smaller, intricate items that require close-up detail and is a great choice for those who want to scan and catalog items. However, Dunne found Space Mode, which leverages LiDAR technology, to be more efficient for capturing the larger, complex structures of their rock replicas. "With Polycam's Space Mode, the scanning time has gone from days of laborious processes to mere minutes, including processing. It's truly transformative for our workflow," Dunne says. 

Beyond speed, Dunne finds Space Mode essential for its object accuracy and the ability to take precise measurements with the Measurement Tool. This precision is particularly useful for projects with tight tolerances, such as fitting rock creations around existing structures or plumbing, helping prevent costly installation errors and delays.

Capturing Global Realism: Scanning Natural Rock Formations

Dunne utilizes Polycam to scan actual rock formations from around the globe, including remote locations like India. These scans capture the unique textures and shapes of natural stone, allowing Universal Rocks to fabricate replicas that are virtually indistinguishable from the original, tailored precisely to client specifications.

Boosting Client Interaction: AR & Visualization

Polycam's impact extended far beyond time savings. Dunne discovered Polycam's ability to convert existing videos of installations and product demonstrations into 3D scans of their artificial rock creations. This allowed Universal Rocks to repurpose years of footage, rapidly expanding their digital catalog — which in turn enhanced online customer engagement and simplified product selection.

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With Polycam's Augmented Reality (AR), Universal Rocks gives clients a real-time preview of their projects. Customers can use their phones to see 3D rock replicas placed directly into their own spaces. For instance, when a set designer needs rocks for a film, they scan the set with Polycam. Dunne then provides 3D models that fit perfectly, eliminating guesswork.

"Being able to show clients exactly what they're getting, in their own space, with Polycam's AR capabilities has made a world of difference. Polycam has become an indispensable tool," Dunne explains. 

This capability led to a 50-80% increase in project kickoff efficiency for custom projects, as clients could visualize and approve projects faster. For engaging online and real-world interactions, Dunne creates detailed 3D visualizations of their artificial rock replicas for the website and customer presentations.

Streamlining Manufacturing: 3D Printing and Plumbing Replication

Dunne's ingenuity with Polycam extends far beyond basic visualization. He finds Polycam invaluable for rapid prototyping. By scanning items for 3D printing, he can quickly create custom parts, significantly speeding up prototyping cycles. 

Polycam also streamlines complex tasks like hot tub installations. By enabling the precise replication of plumbing components from scans, it significantly reduces manual measurement time and minimizes potential errors during installation.

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Elevating Landscaping Plans with Drone Scanning

Beyond manufacturing, Polycam enhances Universal Rocks' service offerings. To provide clients with comprehensive landscaping plans, Dunne employs a drone-mounted iPhone and Polycam's Space Mode to capture detailed 3D models of trees, showcasing how their rock replicas will integrate within the natural environment. This method yields exceptionally precise landscaping plans, ensuring seamless integration of the rock replicas within the natural environment.

A Family Legacy Continued

Looking ahead, Dunne envisions Polycam as an integral part of Universal Rocks' growth. He aims to expand the use of Polycam for pre-sales visualization, allowing clients to experience their projects in immersive 3D before construction begins. 

Continuing the family's innovative spirit, Dunne's brother will leverage Polycam to further integrate 3D modeling and CAD software, optimizing the design and manufacturing workflows. Dunne also sees great value in expanding the Polycam library, creating a collaborative space for sharing 3D models with clients and partners. 

Furthermore, he plans to enhance project costing and planning by utilizing Polycam for accurate estimations and spatial data analysis, ensuring every project is executed with precision and efficiency.

“The more we unlock, it's like this never-ending treasure box of stuff we can do with it,” Dunne says.

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See how Space Mode works for large-scale capture

Learn how to convert videos to 3D models with Polycam

Explore Polycam's AR features for client previews