Show a customer their pool in 3D on a phone

Short answer. Open the saved plan on your phone and PoolSketch builds the 3D view automatically, to scale, and it works offline after sign in. Orbit the pool, set the time of day, change finishes, then hand the phone over, or send a share link that opens the same live 3D view on the customer's device.

Where does the 3D view come from?

The 3D is built from the plan automatically and to scale. You do not model anything twice. Draw the outline, then open the 3D to see the shell depths, steps, ledges and any raised spa in place.

It runs on the device, so it still works on site after the first sign in with no signal. No install is required, the app installs from the web on iPhone, iPad and Android. On a tablet the plan and the 3D sit side by side, which is the easiest way to walk a customer through the layout. See the full feature list.

What can you change in front of the customer?

You can change all of these while the customer watches:

Time of day, the night view and moving water
Interior finish, coping, deck and waterline tile, plus a custom colour picker
Orbit, and the view from the house

Changes show on the device straight away, because the 3D is built from the plan. When the shape is right, export a fly-around video or a day to night timelapse for the follow up email.

How do you send the 3D to the customer?

Send a client share link. It opens a live 3D view on the customer's own phone, expires after 60 days and can be revoked at any time.

For a yard conversation, the AR overlay drops the pool into the real yard through Apple Quick Look on iPhone and iPad, or Android Scene Viewer. It is a concept overlay, not a survey, so say that out loud. The pool builder sales process guide covers where this fits in a meeting.

What are the steps?

Open the job. Open the saved design on your phone or tablet and check the scale is set from the survey or one known length.
Show the plan. On a tablet, keep the plan and the 3D side by side so the customer sees the layout and the finished look at the same time.
Orbit the pool. Drag to orbit the pool, then use the view from the house to show what the customer sees when standing at the back door.
Set the time of day. Move the sun from morning to golden hour, then switch to the night view with the pool lit. The water moves and light patterns play on the pool floor.
Try finishes. Change the interior, coping, deck and waterline tile, and use the custom colour picker for a close match.
Send it home. Send the client share link or export a fly-around video. For an on-site look, use the AR overlay through Apple Quick Look or Android Scene Viewer.

What should you tell the customer it is not?

PoolSketch makes concept sketches for discussion, not construction drawings. Every customer copy says so, and you should repeat it.

AI pictures are illustrations. Review them before you send them, and keep the "Artist's concept" label on Showcase pictures. Quality lowers itself on slower devices to keep the view smooth. Quantities only, no prices, and no engineered or permit documents. The guide to AI renderings for contractors covers the handoff.

Try it on your own yard, free for 14 days

Common questions

Does the 3D work without a signal on site?

Yes. After the first sign in the app works offline, so the 3D view and the plan open on site. A share link the customer opens later needs a connection.

Can the customer open the 3D on their own phone?

Yes. Send a client share link and it opens a live 3D view on their device. Links expire after 60 days and you can revoke one at any time.

Can I show the pool in the customer's real yard?

Yes. The AR yard overlay works through Apple Quick Look on iPhone and iPad, and Android Scene Viewer. Treat it as a concept overlay, not a measured survey of the yard.

Are these pictures construction ready?

No. PoolSketch makes concept sketches for discussion, not construction drawings. AI pictures are illustrations, so review them before sending, and the app does not price jobs or produce permit or engineered documents.

Show a customer their pool in 3D on a phone or tablet