How to Use the R1 Camera

Overview

Once your R1 is paired with the PLANIX app, scanning happens through Survey — the on-screen interface where you create projects, capture panoramic shots, place tags, manage floors and review lidar data. A second feature, SLAM, tracks the camera's position relative to previous scans to support accurate alignment.

This guide outlines what Survey does, walks through each on-screen control, and explains how SLAM and live lidar feedback help you take better shots in the field.

In This Article

• Understanding Survey
• Survey Controls — How to Use Each
• Understanding SLAM
• FAQs
• Related Articles 

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Typical Project Workflow with the R1

Understanding Survey

Survey is the interface used after connecting your smart device to the R1. It lets you create projects, capture shots, add tags, build multiple floors, and edit panoramic and lidar data

Survey Controls — How to Use Each

1. Capture Button (A)
   • Press to capture a panoramic (pano) image when you're ready.
2. Two-Shot Mode (B)
   • Useful when there's nowhere to hide during a shot. Capture the first half from behind the camera (behind the power button), then move to the front to capture the rest
3. Real-Time Tagging (C)
   • Tap the Tag Icon, add a title, choose a type and description, then place the tag on the image and adjust its distance before saving
4. Align Button (D)
   • Manually align panoramic images if they don't align automatically
5. Dynamic and Static Mode (E)
   • Choose your HDR style — Static prioritizes measurement accuracy (best for data collection); Dynamic prioritizes visual quality (best for marketing visuals, with slightly less precise measurements)
6. View Options (F)
   • Switch between Recommended View (image on top, lidar below), Image-Only View, or Laser Data-Only View
7. Navigation Between Scans (G)
   • Move through all captured scans to review or revisit any shot
8. Hide Scan Button (H)
   • Hide specific scans (such as a closet) from the final virtual tour while keeping the data available for drafting.

Understanding SLAM

SLAM helps operators understand the camera's position relative to earlier scans, indicating how well future shots will align. It uses the R1's lidar sensor combined with previously captured scans to locate the camera on a floor plan. Tracking starts after the first scan, and the camera's position only displays when "Show live lidar data" is enabled in the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does SLAM result in better data alignment? 
A: Yes — SLAM helps operators position scans in optimal locations, which improves automatic data alignment

Q: How can I tell if I have good alignment before taking a scan?  
A: Watch the live lidar data colors in Survey: green indicates good alignment, yellow or brown suggests alignment may be off, and red means tracking is struggling. If you see yellow, brown or red, skip the shot and move closer to a previous scan

Related Articles

• How to Connect to the R1
• How to Upload Projects with the R1