Photo, 3D scan or AI: what to choose for each dish on your menu
There is no single right option for the whole menu. Photos, 3D scans and AI each play a different role. Here is how to compare them and combine them, dish by dish.
The three options
| Photo | Phone 3D scan | 3D with AI (photo / text) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | One real angle | The real dish, from every angle | A plausible approximation |
| AR on the table | No | Yes, at real size | Yes, approximate size |
| Time | A few minutes | ~1 minute of scanning + automatic processing | 1–3 minutes |
| What you need | A phone or camera | A phone, a matte table, good light | A clear photo or a description |
| Best for | Drinks, standard products | Signature dishes | A quick start, seasonal dishes |
When to choose a 3D scan
For everything that sells on looks: signature dishes, desserts, platters, generous portions. A scan shows exactly what the guest gets, and in AR the dish appears at real size when you enter the plate diameter. The steps are in the guide to 3D scanning with your phone.
When to use AI
- you want a complete 3D menu quickly and will scan over time;
- the dish is not at hand (seasonal, made to order, still in development);
- you only have a good photo of the dish.
“AI from a photo” starts from a clear photo (the whole dish, from slightly above, on a plain background). “AI from text” first creates an image from the description, then the 3D model. Both are marked “AI” in the dashboard, so you know what is worth scanning later.
When a photo is enough
For drinks, packaged products, simple sides and anything guests already know. Photos and text-only products are unlimited and do not count toward your plan’s 3D model limit.
A simple strategy
- Pick 3–5 signature dishes and scan them in the first week.
- For the other important dishes, start with AI from your existing photos.
- Drinks and standard products keep a photo or text.
- Each month, replace a few AI models with real scans, starting with the most viewed (the dashboard shows 3D views).
How it all looks to guests is described in what a 3D menu is.
Frequently asked questions
Do AI models cost extra?
In Menu3D, an AI model costs a few points from the points included in your subscription every month (5 from a photo, 3 from text). Failed generations are refunded.
Can I replace an AI model with a scan?
Yes. Scan the dish and the new model replaces the old one; the dish link and QR code stay the same.
Can the AI invent ingredients?
Yes, a generated model may show details that are not in your dish. That is why you check it before publishing and, for fidelity, scan the real dish.
Read next
How to 3D scan food with your phone: a step-by-step guide
A practical guide to 3D scanning dishes with a phone: light, surface, the three rounds around the plate, common mistakes, and what to do with soups, glass or glossy sauces.
Read → 5 October 2026 · 6 min read3D menu for restaurants: what it is, how it works and when it is worth it
What a 3D menu is, how dishes get into 3D (phone scanning or AI), how guests open it from a QR code, and how to start without special equipment.
Read → 5 October 2026 · 5 min readAR menu (augmented reality): how guests see the dish on their table
How an augmented reality menu works: which phones support it, how the dish appears at real size on the table, and what a restaurant needs to prepare.
Read →Try it on your own dish
The first 3D dish costs €1 and includes 30 days of Menu3D.