AI & 3D generation · Intermediate

Gaussian splatting

Showing a real scene as millions of soft, colored blobs that render in real time

Also called 3D Gaussian splatting

What is Gaussian splatting?

Gaussian splatting, or 3D Gaussian splatting, is a way of capturing a real scene from photos and showing it as millions of tiny, soft, semi-transparent blobs. Each blob has a position, size, color and opacity. Layered together, they look photo-real from any angle and render fast enough for real-time viewing, even in a web browser.

Think of it like this

It is like building a picture from millions of soft, see-through confetti pieces hanging in the air. From any angle, they blend into a lifelike scene.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Create: Building the shape: modeling, sculpting, scanning or generating it.

How Gaussian splatting works

  1. 01Photograph or film the scene from many angles, as for photogrammetry.
  2. 02Software solves the camera positions and makes a rough point cloud.
  3. 03Each point becomes a soft blob, and training adjusts their shape, color and opacity to match the photos.
  4. 04A viewer sorts and blends the blobs for each frame, fast enough for real time.

Gaussian splatting vs photogrammetry

PropertyGaussian splattingPhotogrammetry
OutputMillions of soft colored blobsA textured mesh
Shiny, thin or fuzzy thingsHandles wellStruggles
Editing in 3D appsLimitedEasy
3D printing or physicsNot directlyYes

Use splatting to show a real place as it looked; use photogrammetry when you need a mesh to edit, animate or print.

Where Gaussian splatting is used

  • Walk-through captures of homes, venues and landmarks
  • Real locations as backgrounds for film and virtual production
  • Interactive object viewers on the web

Beginner tip

Move slowly and keep the camera traveling in arcs, rather than spinning in place. Spots the camera never saw turn into fuzzy, floating blobs, so cover the scene from several heights too.

Terms related to Gaussian splatting

Gaussian splatting FAQ

Gaussian splatting vs NeRF: what is the difference?
Both learn a real scene from photos. A NeRF stores it inside a neural network and is slow to view. Gaussian splatting stores it as separate blobs, so it trains faster and plays back in real time, which is why it spread so quickly.
Can you convert Gaussian splatting to a mesh?
Partly. Some tools extract a mesh from a splat, but the result usually loses the soft, realistic look and needs cleanup. If you need a mesh from the start, photogrammetry from the same photos is often the better route.
Why is it called Gaussian splatting?
Each blob’s softness follows a Gaussian, the bell-shaped curve from statistics, so it is solid in the middle and fades at the edges. “Splatting” is an old graphics name for drawing blobs like these onto the screen.
Can Gaussian splatting be used in games?
It can, as backgrounds or set pieces, and some engines now have plug-ins to load splats. Lighting and collisions are the catch: splats keep the light they were captured in and have no surface for physics.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms