# Pre-Plaster 3D Scan vs Photos: What’s the Difference? > Photos show what the camera saw. A pre-plaster 3D scan records where everything is, to measure. Compare them before the plasterboard goes on. Source: https://www.kybos.au/post/pre-plaster-3d-scan-vs-photos/ Last updated: 2026-10-25 Publisher: Kybos (kybos.au), Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern Rivers, Australia --- Guide 25 Oct 2026 4 min read # Pre-Plaster 3D Scan vs Photos: What’s the Difference? Photos show what the camera saw. A pre-plaster 3D scan records where everything is, to measure. Compare them before the plasterboard goes on. A pre-plaster 3D scan records the position of every stud, pipe, cable and duct in measurable 3D. Photos only show what the camera happened to catch from where you stood. If you may need to find something behind a wall later, a scan is the safer record, and photos still have a place alongside it. ## What photos do well Photos are quick and free, and they tell the story of a job. They are good for showing finish quality, progress and the general state of a room, and for notes to the owner or the next trade. ## Where photos fall short - **You cannot measure from them.** A photo shows a pipe, not how far it sits from the corner or the floor. - **They show one angle.** The view you need later is often the one nobody took. - **They are hard to place.** Hundreds of images in a phone gallery are difficult to link to a particular wall, and harder to search months later. ## What a pre-plaster 3D scan gives you - A walkthrough you open on any device from one link, with no app or login. - Distances you can measure on screen, so a service can be located relative to the walls and floor. - A record that stays with the building after handover. Capture works around the trades, typically takes one to four hours on site, and standard delivery is 24–36 hours. ## A real example At a Belongil Beach build, about 960 m² of concealed services, structure and wall framing was captured before lining. Read the [Belongil pre-plaster case study](https://www.kybos.au/post/belongil-beach-pre-plaster-3d-capture/). The builder says in his review that his team still uses the scan to locate services after the project was finished. ## Side by side - **Measure a distance:** photos no, scan yes. - **Find a service after lining:** photos are a guess, with a scan you open the record. - **Share it:** a folder of images, or one link. - **Cost:** photos cost your time. A scan starts from $395. ## When photos are enough, and when to do both For a small cosmetic job where nothing hidden matters, photos may be all you need. For anything with services, framing or set-out you might have to find again, scan before the plasterboard goes on. Take photos too: they show finish and context, and the scan holds the geometry. Learn more about [pre-plaster capture](https://www.kybos.au/pre-plaster-3d-capture/), see [pricing](https://www.kybos.au/pricing/), or [request a quote](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/). [Guide 25 Oct 2026 How Much Does 3D Scanning Cost on the Gold Coast? What construction 3D scanning costs on the Gold Coast: from $395, priced by floor area, with 5–15% off for stages booked together. What’s included.](https://www.kybos.au/post/how-much-does-3d-scanning-cost-gold-coast/) [Guide 25 Oct 2026 What Does a 3D Dilapidation Capture Include (and What Doesn’t It)? A 3D dilapidation capture records neighbouring properties and public assets before work starts. What it includes, what it does not, and who writes the report.](https://www.kybos.au/post/what-does-3d-dilapidation-capture-include/) [Guide 25 Oct 2026 How Long Does 3D Scanning Take? On-Site Time and Delivery Most construction 3D captures take one to four hours on site, with standard delivery in 24–36 hours. What changes the timing, and how to prepare your site.](https://www.kybos.au/post/how-long-does-3d-scanning-take/) [All articles](https://www.kybos.au/blog/) [Gold Coast & Northern Rivers Home base · NSW–QLD border →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=gold-coast-northern-rivers) [Brisbane & Sunshine Coast Regular coverage →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=brisbane-sunshine-coast) [Sydney By arrangement →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=sydney) [New Caledonia South Pacific · larger projects →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=new-caledonia) [Melbourne By arrangement →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=melbourne) [Adelaide Larger projects →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=adelaide) [Perth Larger projects →](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/?region=perth) Operating across Australia and the South Pacific. Select a location to start an enquiry. ## Ready to document your next project? Quote back to you within 24 hours. [Get a quote](https://www.kybos.au/contact-us/) - Phone[0451 052 500](tel:+61451052500) - Email[info@kybos.au](mailto:info@kybos.au) - BasedNSW–Queensland border