Top 8 3D Surgical Simulation Tools for Plastic Surgeons in 2026

For plastic surgeons. Updated October 2, 2026 · Prepared by Prospyr. Prospyr makes practice software, not 3D imaging or simulation tools, and none of the companies below is a Prospyr product. Each summary reflects what the company publishes on its own website, checked October 2026. Hardware, licensing and pricing change, so confirm everything in writing before you sign.

What does 3D surgical simulation software do?

3D surgical simulation software builds a three-dimensional model of a patient's face, breasts or body, then lets the surgeon show a likely result on that model during the consultation. Aesthetic tools let you pick implants from manufacturer catalogs, adjust a nose or chin with sliders, or preview filler volume. Reconstructive planning tools go further: an engineer and surgeon plan bone cuts on CT data and print patient-specific guides. The real differences are capture method (camera rig, handheld device or iPhone), which procedures are modeled, and how the images reach the patient record.

The 8 3D simulation tools at a glance

How we chose this list

We looked for companies that name plastic surgeons, aesthetic practices or craniofacial teams as users on their own websites, then checked four things a practice manager can confirm before a demo:

• What it models. Breast, face, body, injectables, or bone. Each company's site lists this plainly.
• How it captures. A fixed or handheld camera, an iPhone or iPad, or CT data.
• What the patient sees. A simulation in the room, a shareable 3D view, or a remote session.
• What is published. Pricing, hardware needs and how images are stored.

We did not include consult or photo apps that also sell charting, consent or patient records, since those overlap with practice software. The order is our editorial view, not a measure of results. A breast-heavy practice and a facial practice may rank these very differently.

1. Canfield Scientific (VECTRA)

Canfield Scientific, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, makes the VECTRA line of 3D imaging systems. VECTRA H2 is a handheld camera shipped in a carrying case; VECTRA XT is a stationary unit on a floor stand with motorized height adjustment that captures face, breast and body. Both run Canfield's optional Sculptor simulation software.

What stands out:

• Three Sculptor modules. Face Sculptor covers rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, injectables, facelift and skin resurfacing. Breast Sculptor pulls from manufacturer implant catalogs and models mastopexy and revision. Body Sculptor covers liposuction, abdominoplasty and buttock augmentation with volume maps.
• Fast capture. Canfield lists capture times of 2.0 milliseconds for H2 and 3.5 milliseconds for XT, so patient movement matters less.
• Implant comparisons. XT can compare several implant size, style and shape options side by side.
• Optional turntable. An IntelliStage turntable supports 360-degree capture.

Right for: busy breast and facial practices that want a dedicated imaging room and a widely used system. Ask: the price of the camera versus each Sculptor module, annual software fees, and how 3D files export if you change systems. Canfield also sells before-and-after photo rooms; see our before-and-after photo setup guide.

2. Crisalix

Crisalix is a Swiss company (Crisalix S.A.) that builds 3D and 4D virtual reality simulations of the face, breasts and body from ordinary photos. It states that no sensors, VR headsets or other hardware are required and that the platform runs in a browser, in more than 14 languages.

What stands out:

• Phone and tablet capture. All plans include what Crisalix calls a scanner that converts 2D smartphone or tablet photos into 3D for breast, face and body.
• Remote consults. Plans include 3D video consultations and a 4D virtual reality app.
• Three tiers. Gold includes 60 patients a year; Platinum is advertised as unlimited with a tailored patient app; Diamond adds a custom branded app. Prices are by quote.
• Patient side. Patients can buy a simulation directly, from $44 one-off as of October 2026.

Right for: practices that consult remotely or want simulation without buying a camera. Ask: what counts as a patient in the Gold plan, and which plan features overlap with booking or patient databases you already run. We do not recommend its booking tools as a replacement for your practice software.

3. Arbrea Labs

Arbrea Labs is a Swiss company founded in 2018 by Dr. Endri Dibra, built by researchers from Disney Research and ETH Zurich, according to its site. It runs on Mac, iPad and iPhone using the device camera, with no separate scanner.

What stands out:

• Three products. Arbrea Breast covers augmentation, reduction and mastopexy. Arbrea Face covers rhinoplasty, profileplasty, fat grafting, chin augmentation, fillers, neuromodulators and lips. Arbrea Body covers body contouring.
• 3D and AR modes. The AR mode gives a mirror-like view; Arbrea states a face scan takes about 20 seconds.
• Mentor partnership. Arbrea built the free Mentor Breast Implant Simulator app with Mentor, a Johnson & Johnson brand, for patients on the App Store and Google Play.
• Free start. The site offers a free way to begin; paid plan prices are not published.

Right for: injectors and surgeons who want simulation on an iPad they already own. Ask: what the free tier includes, and how simulations reach the patient chart.

4. QuantifiCare (LifeViz)

QuantifiCare, based in Biot, France, sells the LifeViz family of 3D cameras to plastic surgeons, dermatologists and aesthetic doctors. The range includes LifeViz Mini Pro 2 for the face, LifeViz Infinity Pro for face, breast and body, LifeViz Body Pro for breast and body, and LifeViz Micro for skin microstructure.

The company states Infinity Pro includes simulation, angle and ratio measurement, circumference and volume tracking, and a before-and-after slider. Its LifeViz Neo cloud platform uses AI facial recognition to file images into patient folders and supports multi-site clinics. QuantifiCare reports Infinity Pro won Best Aesthetic Device at AMWC 2022.

Right for: practices that want a portable 3D camera and care as much about measuring volume change as about previewing results. Ask: US service and support coverage, which simulation types each model includes, and where LifeViz Neo stores US patient data.

5. 3D Systems (VSP)

3D Systems offers VSP Virtual Surgical Planning, a service in which a surgeon and a biomedical engineer meet online to simulate a procedure, including osteotomy placement and bone movement. The company states VSP received FDA clearance more than a decade ago and reports more than 140,000 patient-specific cases.

It covers orthognathic surgery, head and neck reconstruction including fibula free flaps, craniosynostosis, trauma, distraction and "Jaw in a Day." Plans are delivered as printed models, cutting guides in several materials, and some patient-specific implants.

Right for: surgeons doing craniofacial, jaw or reconstructive work, not breast or injectable consults. Ask: turnaround time per case, how billing works with your hospital, and what imaging protocol you must follow.

6. Materialise

Materialise sells its Mimics software platform for planning and design, plus craniomaxillofacial products that range from fully personalized to off-the-shelf. It lists orthognathic, reconstructive, trauma and TMJ surgery, and says it has created more than 400,000 personalized models, guides and implants over 30+ years.

Unlike 3D Systems' service model, Materialise also supports hospitals that want to do 3D planning in-house.

Right for: academic or hospital-based plastic and reconstructive teams with access to CT data. Ask: whether you can buy a single-surgeon license or only an institutional one.

7. 3dMD

3dMD, founded in 2000, builds 3D and 4D surface imaging systems, including 3dMDface, 3dMDtrio, 3dMDhead and 3dMDbody. On its site, healthcare uses include cleft lip and palate, craniofacial, oral and maxillofacial, and reconstructive surgery, with a focus on measuring change through treatment. Its 3dMDtempus software tracks facial movement and expression over time. The company reports more than 10,000 cameras deployed worldwide.

Right for: craniofacial centers and surgeons who publish outcome research. It is a measurement tool more than a consult simulator. Ask: which software does outcome simulation versus measurement only.

8. Styku

Styku makes 3D body scanners and markets a version to med spas and aesthetic practices. It lists circumference measurements, body fat analysis, regional measurements and before-and-after 3D scans for body contouring. Its med spa page does not describe outcome simulation; this is documentation of real results, not a preview.

Right for: practices doing body contouring that want measurable proof of change for patients. Ask: scanner footprint, pricing, and how scans export. For documentation tips, see our body contouring documentation checklist.

Questions to ask any 3D simulation vendor

1. What do I buy, and what do I rent? Get the price of hardware, each simulation module and annual software fees in writing, with the renewal terms.
2. Who owns the 3D files? Ask for a sample export of a 3D model and its photos in a format you can open without the vendor's software.
3. Will you sign a BAA? Patient faces and bodies are protected health information. Any cloud tool that stores them should sign a business associate agreement.
4. How accurate is the simulation, and what does your consent language say? Ask how the company describes accuracy, and add a line to your informed consent stating the simulation is not a guaranteed result.
5. Which implant catalogs are loaded, and how often are they updated? Breast practices should confirm the brands and sizes they actually use.
6. What does training and support look like? Ask how many hours of onboarding are included and who fixes a camera that fails on a consult day.
7. How do images reach the chart? Follow one simulation from capture to the patient record and check it does not require manual download and upload.

Where Prospyr fits

Simulation happens in the consult room; the photos, consent and booked surgery live in your practice system. Ask each vendor how images export so they can be stored with the patient's record in a media archive next to charting and consent. If you are reviewing practice software for a surgical practice, see Prospyr for plastic surgery practices or book a practice demo.

For more on turning a consult into a booked procedure, read how to convert aesthetic consultations into loyal patients and our guide to informed consent in aesthetic surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3D surgical simulation accurate?

It is an estimate, not a promise. Vendors publish their own accuracy claims, and tissue, healing and technique all vary. Show simulations as one possible result and document that in your consent forms.

Do I need a special camera for 3D simulation?

Not always. Canfield VECTRA and QuantifiCare LifeViz use dedicated cameras, while Crisalix and Arbrea Labs build models from phone, tablet or iPhone camera images. Dedicated cameras usually give more measurement detail.

What does 3D simulation software cost?

Most vendors do not publish surgeon pricing. As of October 2026, Crisalix lists patient-paid simulations from $44 and Arbrea Labs offers a free way to start; camera systems are quoted. Ask for hardware, software and renewal prices separately.

Is 3D simulation useful for injectables, or only surgery?

Several tools cover injectables. Canfield's Face Sculptor and Arbrea Face both list filler and injectable simulation, which some injectors use to plan volume and set expectations. Pair this with your skin analysis workflow if you already image the face.

What is the difference between aesthetic simulation and virtual surgical planning?

Aesthetic simulation shows a patient a likely look on a surface model. Virtual surgical planning, such as 3D Systems VSP or Materialise, uses CT data to plan bone cuts and print guides for craniofacial and reconstructive surgery.

Want your company considered?

We review this list quarterly. Companies that serve plastic surgeons can send their website and what they offer practices to info@prospyrmed.com. Inclusion is editorial and not paid.

Editorial scope

This list is based on each company's public website, checked October 2026 with AI-assisted research. Companies did not review this article before publication. It is not a guarantee of results or a substitute for checking references, regulatory status or data-handling terms. Read our methodology or report a correction.